Kikyo and Kaede talked about Inuyasha and Sesshomaru behaviour, how they were acting like little children instead of adults like they should be. Although it was very amusing to see both men squabbling in the miko's opinion. The journey back to the village was quiet, with no other yokai in sight to bother them.

"Onee-sama, I forgot to tell you that Asuka-san and her husband  Hashir-san have invited us to dinner," told Kaede with a slightly flushed face for forgetting about it even when she accepted on Kikyo's behalf. "I'm sorry that I forgot to tell you."

"Tonight? I suppose that means that I won't have to cook then," Kikyo said giving a gentle smile. "But maybe next time you should tell me in advance, imouto," Kikyo poked Kaede's forehead with her fingers.

"Do you have to do that onee-sama. Its really annoying," whined Kaede as she rubbed the spot on her forehead. "And embarrassing. What if someone sees?"

"Is my imouto afraid of affection from her onee-sama?" Mused Kikyo with a small smirk, Kaede was so easily rile up. "You did good today."

Kaede turned to face Kikyo but still continued walking to Asuka and Hashir hut. "I did? But I didn't do much today," Kaede said.

"Neathered did I today, the onikuma was already dealt with by the other yokai, who I suspect is a half-breed. Still you did more than me, by placing the barrier up to lock in the onikuma. I'm proud of you," told Kikyo. Kaede perked up at the praise.

"Half-breed? Like half-human, half-yokai? Why would any human want to be with a yokai or a yokai be with a human? It doesn't make any sense!" Exclaimed Kaede.

"The world works in many mysterious ways. We cannot pick who we fall in love with," mused Kikyo. "However, the fate of a half-breed is far worse than any human or yokai. Being born between two worlds, the majority of humans and yokai will never except them as they are neither fully human or yokai. It is such a sad fate," the conversation stopped as the two miko were greeted by Asuka.

"Asuka-san, I apologise if we are late and I thank you for your hospitality," bowed Kikyo as she took off her wooden sandals and placed them near the opening of the hut, Kaede did the same.

"Nonsense Kikyo-sama, Kaede-sama. We are overjoyed that you have accepted our invitation. Please come and sit, and I'll bring out the food in a moment," Asuka said as she went to bring out the food. Returning moments later with her husband, Hashir.

"Tonight we have miso soup and shioyaki, please enjoy, Kikyo-sama, Kaede-sama," Hashir told as Asuka placed the food in front of Kaede and Kikyo.

"Thank you, Asuka-san, Hashir-san, itadakimasu!" said Kikyo, clapping her hands together and slightly bowing, with Kaede giving a similar response. The two miko took their time and enjoyed the meal before going back to their own hut. Tomorrow Kikyo would be helping out with the local shrine.

The shrine was an old one, that had been barely used by the villagers in recent years. Since the arrival of both miko's the village head decided to revamp the shrine with Kikyo and Kaede's help.

****

"Onee-sama did you hear about a pair of yokai thieves? A group of travelers were talking about them," told Kaede as she was sweeping the dirt from the shrine. While Kikyo was renewing the shrines barrier.

"That sounds like an interesting tale. Do you know anymore about the so called thieves?" Asked Kikyo as she placed ofudas* on the walls of the shrine.

"I think it was Yoko Kurama and Kuronue, a fox and bat yokai, onee-sama!" Kaede exclaimed. "Their supposed to be really powerful yokai too. from what the travelers said about them."

'Those names are familiar... however, I can't recall them from Inuyasha,' thought Kikyo with frustration. An unknown variable, kikyo hadn't had one in such a long time. 'Hm, I wonder...' mumbling as she lost herself to her thought.

"Onee-sama, I think that we should take a break," told Kaede as she looked at all the work that they had completed. "We are nearly finished and I want you to try the onigiri that I have made." Kaede put her brushed down, going over to where the onigiri was.

"This looks good imouto," said Kikyo as she was handed an origiri. "Where did you learn to make these?" Asked Kikyo as she ate the onigiri.

"Asuka-san helped me," replied Kaede.

"It tastes good," complimented Kikyo. Whilst Kaede blushed at the praise from her older sibling. A man burst nto the shrine shouting and running up to Kikyo. Said man panted, trying to regain his breath to tell the miko what he wanted with her.

"What is the urgency? Is a yokai attacking?" Kikyo asked the distressed man, who regained enough breath to answer her. She didn't sense any yokai within the village. Did it come in without her noticing?

"No, Kikyo-sama. It's my wife she's went into labour and I fear for her well-being. Please, I desperately ask that you assist in the birth!" Exclaimed the man.

"I will help but you will need to lead me there," Kikyo told him, turning around to look at Kaede. "Imouto can you go and gather my things."

"I go get it, onee-sama." said Kaede as she ran back to the hut.

****
The man, Souta, lead Kikyo and Kaede to his wife, Shizue. A couple of women were stationed around Shizue, trying to help with the birth. Kikyo pulled out a container with Chamomile, Crampbark and other mixed herbs that formed a liqued, intending to use it to help Shizue with the pain.

"Shizue-san, can you drink this, it will help ease the pain," said Kikyo as she pressed a cup containing the herbs to the lady's lips, and Shizue drank the contents.

"Thank you Kikyo-sama," Shizue choked out as she was in so much pain. Kikyo was afraid as this was her first proper birthing without being supervised by someone else. She had sent Kaede back to the hut. Time seemed to go by fast, but for Kikyo it felt like centuries. The baby, which was a boy, was born 4 antagonising hours later, Shizue and Souta named their son, Sasuke.

After a check up done by Kikyo and the village doctor, Shizue and Sasuke were given a clean bill of  health and that made Kikyo grateful. 'I wonder what it would be like to be reincarnated as a normal women instead of a priestess guarding a jewel,' thought Kikyo as she watched the Shizue interact with her new born child.

****

"Kuronue-kun, I have found something that should be entertaining," Kurama said to his companion.

"Oh?" The bat yokai replied.

"There is rumours circulating about the shikon no tama. I think this might be the challenge that I have been craving," told Kurama.

"That does sound interesting and fun, so who has possession of the Shikon no tama?" Asked Kuronue.

"A miko know as Kikyo," replied Kurama.

"So a little girl has the shikon no tama. This sounds boring now," huffed Kuronue.

"A powerful little girl that has killed many yokai that have went after the shikon no tama."

"So this may be fun then, let's get planing Kurama-kun ."

"Already on it," the two yokai smirked at each other, with plaguing thoughts of stealing the shikon no tama.

Japanese terms

Shioyaki is grilled fish.

Itadakimasu is I humbly receive.

Ofuda is a talisman