Synopsis: A girl that Kagome goes to school with, Kasumi, reveals to Kagome to horrible abuse she goes through at home, and so Kagome decides to reveal her time-travel secret to her childhood friend, only to find that doing so has blessings and curses for both of them.

Chapter One

Kagome sighed as she pulled herself out of the well. She had decided to return to her time for a few days so she could check to make sure that her friend, Kasumi, was holding up. Kagome had a gut feeling that Kasumi's parents abused her, but she had never confronted her about it.

She also was dealing with big problems back in the Feudal Era. They still had not completed the Shikon Jewel, and sometimes Kagome wondered if they would ever make it whole again.

"Hey Kagome, Kasumi phoned this morning to ask how you were."

"What kind of crazy excuse did grandpa come up with this time?"

"Some kind of crazy infection. But I told her you would call her back as soon as you could. It's a good thing she called too, sometimes I get so worried about her." Kagome nodded.

"Yeah, I just wish she would buck up and tell someone what's going on so she can get help." As Kagome ate some chips and read one of her magazines, she stared at a picture of Kasumi that sat on her desk. The two had known each other for quite a long time, and Kagome had told her everything, except for the fact that she could travel back and forth from modern times to the Feudal Era.

"Hey sis, are you going back to school tomorrow?"

"Yeah Sota, why?"

"Just curious." Kagome smiled at her little brother. Sota was very quiet and a thoughtful boy. Kagome knew her brother would make someone very happy one day. As she walked to school, she found Kasumi at her usual spot, hiding away from everyone else.

"Kagome, how are you feeling?"

"Much better, thanks for asking. How's everything for you?"

"Fine." The school bell rang, indicating the start of the day's classes.

"Come on, we should get to class." Kagome could see where Kasumi had put on make up.

"You look nice, Kasumi-chan."

"Thanks, I guess." First was math, then social studies, then english, then gym. As Kagome changed into her gym clothes, she watched with sadness at Kasumi. She really was an exceptionally kind person, and could see the good in others, even when nobody else could.

"Alright girls, start with running laps around the track and meet at the soccer field in half an hour." The teacher said before sending the girls off. Kagome was running a little behind Kasumi, mainly because the other girl had requested she do so on the grounds that it made her feel safer. Kagome began humming a tune to herself and was really getting into the song when she saw Kasumi on the ground in a tremendous amount of pain.

"Kasumi-chan!" When Kagome had gotten to her friend, she noticed four claw-like marks on her back, all of which were a fiery red like colour. Was this another act of abuse from her parents? No, Kagome doubted it. No human could make a mark like that, not even with a sharp object.

"Kagome, I need you to accompany Kasumi to the hospital so she can get checked out." So off they went to the hospital. When Kagome got to the hospital, she called her mother to let her know what happened.

"What kind of marks?"

"It's like some kind of invisible animal slashed her back. I didn't see any animal though, nobody did."

"Alright, I'll be on my way. Grandpa is coming too." Hanging up the phone, Kagome sat down in a chair close to Kasumi's bed. She smiled as her friend woke up.

"Hi Kasumi. How are you feeling?"

"Sore all over."

"Did your parents do this to you?"

"Kagome, for once they actually didn't. I've had this scar ever since I was born, but it's never worried me. I felt like someone literally ripped the skin right off my back. That's how painful it was." Biting her lip, Kagome held Kasumi's hand.

"Kasumi, tell me the truth about what's going on. I want to help you." Just as she was about to say something, Kagome's mother and grandfather came in.

"Kasumi, I'm so glad you're okay." As it turned out, Kagome's grandfather had brought another one of his books to show the two girls.

"This is pretty cool, grandpa." Just as Kagome had turned the page, she saw a drawing of the same mark that was on Kasumi's back.

"Kasumi-chan, look at this. Aren't those the same marks that you have on your back?" Grabbing the book, the other girl nodded.

"Yeah, they are." After reading the page about a legendary place called Horai Island, the girls closed the book.

"It's strange." Kagome's grandfather said. "Only half-demons ever got the mark of the Four War Gods, so why Kasumi's got it, I have no idea." Kagome thought about it for a moment. She made a mental note to ask Inuyasha about it later. He had the same scar on his back that Kasumi did, so there had to be some sort of connection.

"As I was saying earlier Kasumi, I want you to tell me exactly what's going on with you at home so I can help you." Sighing, the other girl knew time was up, and that she had to tell Kagome what was happening.