_= thoughts *_* = sound/ italicized "_" = speech //_// = narration

Hey everyone!^_^ A few things. First, I know the verb tenses are a little odd, but the next couple of chapters, will be a memory from the day after this. When people are talking, you are seeing it and there fore it is in present tense. When they're just standing or there's a bit of description, it's a memory and it's past tense. And of course, the narration is past tense. Also, I hope no one minds me using "Inu Yasha" instead of "Inuyasha".^_^; lol I just like typing it that way. *shrugs* Oh, and I know, a lot of speech. Things should get back to normal fan fic type writing when there are less people to deal with, but this is the first fic I've done in this style. Usually I write stories (though I *rarely* write stories) in kind of a script/play style. You know, with scene settings, names next to each part, and so on.^_^ Heh, this is kind of new to me. Anyway, hope you like it!^_^ enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or any of the characters in it. If I did I'd be rich, but I'm not... and if I had lots of money I'd probably spend it on anime anyway so pleeaasseee, don't sue me.^_^ lol

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Memories of the Present

Chapter 1:Memories of a Mud-boy.

So warm... so very warm ...

It was only yesterday that I left the Sengoku period. It was such a beautiful day... so warm. The golden sunlight was glittering from the heavens, spilling forth through the trees, towering above the world. There were bluebirds singing; I can remember that much, and the air was sweet, purified after the long night of rain. Everyone was so happy, but not as happy as I am now. No, I don't think anyone could be as happy as I am now...

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"Damnit Kagome! Why do you always have to go back?! You went back last week, and now you want to stay for what, *another* week?! We're on a time limit!" The hanyou growled.

//There go the chirping birds. The noise probably scared them off. Heh, and to think, I was so mad at him then. //

Two figures stood in the middle of a clearing. To either side of them was forest, and in one direction, a village. This is the village that they had journeyed from. To the other side was an ancient well, incredibly worn throughout time, but one could never tell, save by looking over the vines that grew around it. The one yelling, well, they were both yelling, but the one yelling now was standing in between the other and the ancient well. He was truly a sight in the frigid morning air. The sunlight glinting off of his sterling white hair caused it to take on an almost yellow sheen, while his eyes, more golden than the sun, betrayed his every word. He was stiff, rigid with the thought of his parting comrade. His clothes, blood red, swayed gently with the oncoming winds and his ears, strangely dog-like in nature, twitched and swiveled to hear every sound, every movement around him. He was angry, but not as much as you might suspect. He seemed more hurt than anything.

" I've told you a hundred times Inu Yasha; we always go through this! I have to go back to take tests!"

//The usual response, it's always the same. Maybe I shouldn't have gotten in his face about it though. //

Now the other's turn, she stood, every bit as stiff as he. Her school uniform, a white shirt with green stripes and a green skirt that went halfway to her knees, blowing softly in the breeze. She wasn't of his time, that much was certain. Her raven hair shone, darkness against the oncoming day. Her chocolate-brown eyes locked stubbornly with the eyes of her hanyou companion, refusing with all of her strength to secede. She seemed to possess a spirit rarely seen in any time, and this did not go unnoticed, especially to the keen senses of her friend. They were made for each other.

"You ALWAYS have tests! Why are they so important? Are they really more important than us?"

//What he really meant was, "Are they more important than me," but how was I to know that? //

The girl lets out a frustrated huff, "Look, let me try to explain this to you. How do you judge others in this time period?"

He looks away thoughtfully, absently poking his chin with one finger, " Well, by strength, speed, and fighting ability of course!" Inu Yasha turns away and slowly pulls towards Kagome. Almost face to face, he squints at her and smirks. This is *never* a good sign. "Something you need to work on I might add."

"Ohhh!!!!" Kagome fumes, fists at her sides. Through gritted teeth she sighs, trying to calm down. It won't help anything if I yell at him Calming herself, she continues, "That's what you need to survive in your time right?"

He scoffs and turns away, "Yeah, so what?"

"Well, I go to school to learn what I need to know to survive in *MY* time. Tests rank what you know so that you can be placed in a position which may affect how you spend the rest of your life. I *have* to do well on them! And everyday I'm here..." She was abruptly cut off by a surprised, and relatively wide-eyed hanyou.

" ...you're missing something that you need to know... to survive in your time?"

A bright smile and a soft laugh fill the air, the look of utter and complete relief completely engulfing her form, "Exactly." And I thought he'd NEVER get it!

"Oh..."

...maybe he'll let me go this time...

"So what?! You don't need to stay there anyway!"

//Heh, I think I'd spoken a bit too soon...//

" Oh, Inu Yasha...," Kagome looks at him, the best sweet smile she could muster plastered across her face, "you're *IMPOSSIBLE*!!! BAKAAA!!!!"

After a short-lived yelp, a surprised Inu Yasha jumps back, slightly cowering, but trying desperately to regain his composure and to hide his ever spreading blush with a scowl, Were those *flames* ?! Standing upright, he walks back towards her and tries for a witty comeback, "O...o...oh yeah! Well, at least I can... "

// I did say "tries". //

" Inu Yasha, Kagome, watch out! He's coming!" They both look over to see a slightly worried Miroku. running towards them, staff in one hand and sweat beading on his brow. Neither of them had ever seen him run so quickly before. His robes, both the dark under and the purple over, never hindered his ability to run or to fight. It was amazing to say the least.

" What are you babbling about monk?!"

" I just want to warn you that Ko...," he stops dead in his tracks. All around the clearing there is no sound. In the surrounding forest the trees sway and the grass glistens in the morning sun; leaves rustle gently, but no sentient noise, not even that of breathing can be heard. Nothing is so foolish as to make noise now.

Up ahead of Miroku, Inu Yasha is sprawled across the ground on his stomach. No, Kagome hadn't said anything; it was much worse. As the whirlwind dies down, he can easily see Kouga, proudly standing on top of Inu Yasha, and smirking as he feels something squishy beneath his feet.

" Hmm? Oh, dog-turd! Hey, where's Kago...," he sniffs the air gently and looks to his side, "Hey Kagome! There you are!" As he takes her hand in his, he hears a soft grumbling from beneath him. Curious, he looks down and grins, "Oh, you still here?"

"Why you! Get the hell off of me you wimpy wolf! And get your hands off of Kagome!" Kouga laughs. Inu Yasha does make an interesting sight. His teeth are bared, exposing his fangs, and his ears are pressed firmly against his head. It'd be frightening if he weren't covered from head to toe in dark, sticky mud, and red-faced beneath that. Inu Yasha struggles a little before Kouga looks up towards Kagome.

"Kouga-kun, will you...?"

"Anything for you Kagome." He silently steps to the side, glancing at his feet he utters an almost unheard moan, even to the present demons' ears, "Ewww...dog-turd... " He looks back up, flashing a great big smile for girl who stands there nervously, awaiting the fight that is sure to come. Noticing her nervousness, Kouga asks protectively, "Has he been bothering you Kagome?"

"Um... Kouga-kun... "

In a second, Inu Yasha is up and in between the two, fists clenched in anger. "Why you...!!! Stop talking to her like that!"

From off to the side, a little, "Well... ," can be heard, and all eyes turn on the pouting girl. Kagome pokes her lip and then presses her index fingers together shyly, "Well, actually, I *WAS* sort of tying to go home..."

Inu Yasha glares at her, "You wouldn't *dare*..."

She glares back, "Try me."

After that, it was some time before anyone said anything. Sango had arrived and was now standing next to Miroku, wearing, not her demon hunting uniform, but one of a simple villager. Her hair, black like Kagome's, wafted slightly as she looked from one to another. She wore an expression of slight confusion, but was pretty sure she had an idea about what was going on. Kirara, her cat, was on her shoulder, waiting patiently, and Inu Yasha was entranced in a death stare with Kagome. The only ones that seemed unfazed by all of the commotion were Miroku and Kouga.

Kouga watched the two from the sidelines, waiting for the moment when their gazes no longer battled, but not foolish enough to try and draw attention to himself. That was the time, when they had stopped fighting, that he'd kick Inu Yasha's ass for being so rude to "*his* woman". Miroku just looked to everyone, lowered his head and shook it sadly. He sighed.

Clearing his throat, Miroku looks softly towards Kagome, as to not make things turn on him instead of the fuming, mud-covered dog demon before them. "Kagome, if you leave, Inu Yasha may take it upon himself to bring harm to Kouga in your absence. Without your objections, I fear for the worst."

Kouga huffs, "What, that idiot? I'm a full demon, not some mutt like him! What makes you think he could touch me, much less hurt me?"

"Who are you callin' a mutt you wimpy wolf!"

Kouga smirks, lifting his head and looking down over his shoulder to the snarling half-demon," You of course! I think it'd be a degrading title to anyone el... hey!" Kouga stumbles backwards as Inu Yasha appears right in his face, "That's it! You want a fight?!"

The mud laughs, "Bring it on." Through bared teeth, the two growl at one another, totally unaware that the objet of their fight is slowly making her getaway.

"Miroku?"

"Yes Sango?"

"Where's Kagome going?" The growling stops and the two men stare at each other blankly.

"Looks like she's using this to her advantage."

"Smart girl." Miroku nods silently.

"Umm... Kagome?," Kouga asks, confusion written clearly across his features, "Why are you hopping into that well?"

Inu Yasha's eyes bulge. "What?!" His ears swivel quickly towards the well, trying to place truth to what Kouga had said.

"Sorry guys! See you when I get back... um, in about a week! Bye everyone!"

They all watch in silence as her form drops into the well. Fearing the worst, Kouga shouts, "Kagome!," and rushes to her aid, only to find her completely gone. "What the..."

Inu Yasha rushes past him, leaping into the well, "Damned girl!" He turns, grinning at the startled wolf prince as he descends into the depths, " Sorry wimpy wolf, but you can't come! Heh, see ya!" And with that, he too was gone.