A/N: Okay. I really shouldn't be working on this story- but it came to me in a very spur-of-the-moment thing, and I just wanted to get it down and out of the way. So I did. This will be my first crack at writing a Sasuke/Kagome, so please be sure to drop me a line and let me know what you think. Enjoy :)


HEY Y'ALL, so it's October 11th, 2014 and I just re-read everything that I have written for the story and I want to finish it. I can see so clearly how this is supposed to end. And as one of my most popular stories, well, I figured it was the least I could do. My goal is to flesh out Kagome's character as well as the story, and get everything up on one level of writing. I have four days to do it...then it's back to school! Cheer for me~

EDITED: 10/11/14

For those of you returning, you may notice some differences. I'm going through the story and giving it a bit of a re-write, to make the story more fluid and uniform as well as to help my ideas flow through better. Please be patient! A new chapter will come when I've worked through all the edits, and it'll just flow right into the next chapter.

EDITED: 03/05/13


Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, I don't own InuYasha.


piano man

1 – free fallin'

ancient-relic

- o -

Kagome Higurashi was no fool.

She knew a spell when she saw one – one would hope that she'd be able to recognize these things after all, having spent as much time around the magical and the mystical as she had until now. As such, it was almost an instant realization when she spotted the silhouette of Kikyou's figure amongst the trees behind the monster that Naraku had summoned. The reanimated priestess was crouched low to the ground in the underbrush, muttering soundless words and drawing in the dirt.

"InuYasha!" she cried, spinning on the spot and racing for the hanyou. "Watch out! Kikyou's casting a spell, and—"

InuYasha's concentration broke at the sound of his lover's name and his nose quickly sought her out from amongst the trees. That was enough time for the misshapen demon to send him flying—it's larger more deformed arm lashing out at an incredible speed and backhanding him across the face. Kagome's words died in her throat as he spiraled to the ground with a sharp grunt, the air knocked out of his lungs.

Kagome moaned sympathetically as she watched his body skid, raising the earth around him into fine dust. The tumble had cost him a leg she realized, the blood draining from both of their faces as he struggled to rise from his spot on the ground. It wasn't long before the hanyou slumped to the ground in defeat, his leg twisted at a sickening angle. Kagome's stomach twisted with nausea.

The slayer and the priest weren't even present—the demon arriving while the group was on a temporary hiatus. Sango had left for her village to do some repairs on her giant bone boomerang, and Miroku had insisted on accompanying her—for he 'couldn't let a damsel such as herself go unaccompanied into the wilderness'. Blessedly, Shippou was still in the village with Kaede and safe from harm. Abruptly Kagome pulled her mind away from her friends and turned her attention back to the demon and the undead priestess.

"Kikyou! What are you doing?!" Kagome cried, a weak attempt to disrupt the priestess from her chanting.

Unfortunately Kagome's cry did nothing but draw the demon's attention to her, roaring at being completely ignored and blindly rushing towards her on its' uneven legs. She froze for a moment in fear and hesitation, watching the giant lumber towards her. With a shrill screech of distress, Kagome scooped up her bag and rushed for the well several meters behind her—where she had just come from.


Kagome smiled to herself as she stood in the well house, sliding on her new backpack and strapping her possessions in their various places.

Her mother had been kind enough to buy her some more appropriate clothing; a slender and slightly longer haori, made of a rugged deep green material. There were several pockets inside the fold at the chest, as well as smaller ones hidden within the bell sleeves. Keeping the haori closed was a beautiful green-back obi, detailed with gold stitching. The material was just thick enough that Kagome was able to tuck things into the pseudo-belt and they remained hidden from any prying eyes.

Instead of hakama Kagome had opted instead to wear black stretchy jeans, tight to her skin. Perhaps it was still slightly too suggestive, and looked a little odd with the haori—but it was by far better than the short sailor skirt from her school uniform. The pants were light and stretchy enough not to hinder her movement, but thick enough to provide protection to the environment and the elements.

Not long ago, InuYasha had attempted to teach her how to use a sword- but it proved to be quite the fruitless endeavor. Kagome didn't have a strong enough sense of space to learn how to swing the sword without treating it like a baseball bat. As a peace offering, he'd had Totosai make her a short-sword and dagger combo that could conduct her miko powers. The blades were encased in matching leather sheaths, but the handles were magnificent hand-carved masterpieces made with bone, mother-of-pearl and ebony. Kagome wore them both tucked into the back of her obi, hidden beneath her camping backpack.

Sango too had attempted to help Kagome with her combat training, but it hadn't exactly worked out the way either had intended. The first time Kagome had tried lifting the Hiraikotsu, she'd lost her balance under the weight and sprained her ankle.

Instead, Sango and Kagome trained dutifully on the young priestess' strength and stamina. The slayer had also helped Kagome learn how to use the tanto that InuYasha had gifted her with, as well as how to properly use the dagger in both a defensive and offensive manner while she was wielding the larger blade.

Eager to join in on the training, Miroku teamed up with Kaede in an attempt to help teach Kagome how to better channel her wild powers. Through meditation Kagome was able to pull her powers from within her soul, channel them into any weapon she was holding, as well as into various parts of her body as defensive back ups and into barriers of multiple sizes and strengths. As a gift to his pupil, Miroku had presented Kagome with a staff, not unlike his own but in rich silver. Instead of a bladed ring on top, there was a deep blue stone encased within an orb-like metal encasing—good for clubbing, as the priest demonstrated on a very unwilling half-demon dog.

Kagome was overjoyed with the help from her friends, glad she was finally becoming someone who could pull their own weight and not someone who was slowing them down. Sure, there was a lot of work to do still but even being able to protect herself within a barrier was something so that she knew her friends wouldn't be distracted by the thought of her defenseless in battle.

Securing her belongings one last time, Kagome waved farewell to her family and jumped into the depths of the well. The familiar warm blue light surrounded her, easing her fall as she shifted between time periods. InuYasha was waiting for her on the other side, sitting against the side of the well with his arms folded and deep in thought. Turning to help hoist her over the side, Kagome thought she caught a approving glance at her attire from the hanyou. She smiled to herself for a moment, when a familiar tingle ran down her spine.

"What is it?" InuYasha asked, moving to her side to follow her gaze.

"Jewel shards…" she murmured, her eyes far away. "Coming in fast, from the East."

She reached backwards for her dagger, lingering for a moment on her staff. Her bow and arrows were safely in the village with Shippo, so she didn't have many options. At least if she charged the dagger, she could use it as both a blade and a projectile.

InuYasha inhaled deeply, several times. The wind shifted, and a dark expression crossed his face.

"Naraku…" he growled, his ears flicking backwards. His hand went to Tetsusaiga, and he turned to look at his companion. "Be on your guard, Kagome. It's just you and me this time."


In her mad rush to the well, Kagome tripped over her own feet three times before pulling ahead of the demon.

I've got to lure it away…but it's so strong! There's no way I'll be able to fight it close range…it'll over power me for sure…

While all the training she'd received had boosted her confidence immensely, she knew her strength was nowhere near up to par. Her skill lay in long-range combat, and her bow wasn't of any use to her now.

Having sprinted clear across the clearing, Kagome came to a stop at the other tree line. The monster was still advancing, growling menacingly. She searched frantically, looking for any sign of jewel shards that she could launch herself towards when it reached her but to no avail. Its skin was so thick and shapeless that she couldn't even get a clear sense of anatomy. Just as it moved into range, the monster faded out of existence.

At the same moment, across the clearing, Kikyou finally stepped out of the trees.

"Miko Kagome." She drawled emotionlessly. Kagome felt a shiver of dread crawl down her spine.

"What do you want, Kikyou?" Kagome asked, following Kikyou's path as the undead miko continued into the clearing. She was heading for the well. Slowly, Kagome shifted so her own path mirrored the older woman's, putting herself between her portal home and Kikyou.

The priestess said nothing in return, merely continuing to walk forwards as Kagome continued to move sideways and backwards. They continue this sllent stand off until Kagome felt the back of her knees brush the aged wood of the well.

"What do you want from us?" Kagome demanded, watching the other woman carefully, her grip tightening on her dagger. There was a better chance of her coming out on top if the priestess actually came close enough for her to reach. Kagome was confident that she'd at least be able to out-muscle the re-animated form of the priestess.

Still, Kikyou didn't reply. Instead, she drew her own bow from her back and notched a single arrow. Kagome felt the hairs on the back of her neck raise as Kikyou's powers flooded the clearing. Without a prompt, Kagome felt her own powers reply in kind. As the tangible glow of purification washed through the clearing, Kagome saw the prone form of InuYasha stir out of the corner of her eye.

What is she trying to do? Charging a purification arrow will do nothing to me… only a fatal blow can harm me. Surely she won't turn the arrow on InuYasha…?

Wordlessly, Kikyou aimed and fired the arrow in a practiced, fluid gesture. Kagome watched as it shone brightly even in the daylight, flying straight and true… towards her. Panicking, she forced her powers into her hands and threw them up across her face, willing a barrier to life. Her reaction time was to late, however, as the arrow sailed harmlessly past her outstretched arms and knicked her cheek on the way past.

Kikyou… missed? Kagome thought incredulously as she felt the harsh sting of air on an open cut. The blood dribbled down her cheek, sliding uncomfortably slowly down her chin.

"Be gone, reincarnation. I have things to do." Kikyou spoke simply.

Too late, Kagome realized that Kikyou had indeed missed intentionally. She hadn't been the older priestess' target at all. The arrow was magically embedded in the rim of the well, glowing brightly. Kikyou reached out in a sweeping gesture, and Kagome felt a tug from behind, as if someone had reached up to grab her. Helplessly, Kagome felt herself tipping backwards, unable to move her limbs. Her balance was no longer hers to control—and with a shrill cry, she found herself pitching backwards into the Bone Eater's Well.

"InuYaaashaaa!"

tbc.