"So, you're trying to tell me that those," Bella gestured toward the pointed dog ears sticking out from the thick silver hair covering the guy's head, "…are real?"

"Yeah…um…about that. You see, you can't exactly tell anyone about this because if people found out that the well on our grounds is a gateway to Feudal Japan, who knows what might happen."

The golden haired American stared in shock at her new found friend, Kagome Higarashi. Luckily, she spoke fluent Japanese, or this would have been even more confusing. "Umm….what is he?"

"Hey!" The guy barked, "Don't act like I'm not here. If you really want to know what I am, why don't you ask me!"

"Inuyasha!"

He looked over at the dark haired girl in disbelief. "Don't tell me you're gonna get mad cause I'm taking up for myself! Didn't you hear the way she asked that question! 'What is he?'….feh…."

"I'm warning you Inuyasha…"

"It's not like she's exactly normal. I mean, look at her hair and eye color. Who has golden hair and green eyes around here? No one but her, that's who!"

Kagome glared at him and, making a commanding gesture with her right hand, yelled, "SIT!"

The ground seemed to shake when Inuyasha fell face first into the concrete driveway in front of the Higarashi's home. After a few moments, he moaned in pain and jumped up suddenly. "What'd ya do that for, wench!"

"Don't call me that! And I did it because you were being rude!"

Bella just stared on in amazement. The guy had dog ears, and fangs, and claws. Kagome and this….Inuyasha…were arguing intensely, and it was becoming more and more obvious to Bella that there was something between the two of them, some unspoken, mutual feelings.

"Um…excuse me?"

What!" They yelled simultaneously.

"Can I see it?"

Kagome looked at her in confusion. "See what?"

"The gateway!" Her face shone with excitement. "Or better yet…Feudal Japan!"

"NO!" Once again, simultaneously.

"Aw, come on. Just really quick. I promise not to get in the way of…whatever it is you guys do back there!"

Kagome looked appalled. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"No…no…nothing like that…" She tried to explain, "I just…I really want to go…just to have a quick look…please."

"Let her come, Kagome," Inuyasha growled. "We haven't got all day, and you're gonna waste too much time arguing with her about it."

"Okay…but you have to promise not to…"

"I promise I'll never tell anyone. I promise, I promise I promise."

"There, can we go now?" The half-demon was already walking toward the well's location.

"I don't even know if this will work, Bella." The raven-haired girl admitted. "So far, only Inuyasha and I have been able to pass through the well. I think you have to have a reason for going back and forth or something."

"Well I do have a reason…I want to go…"

"But…"

"We can at least try," Bella said, her eyes pleading.

"Come on," Kagome said, trying her hardest to smile. This couldn't turn out well.

Bella practically flew out of the well. "Oh, wow! Oh, wow! This place is amazing!" She said excitedly.

"Have you not ever seen a forest before or something?" Inuyasha asked, his usual harshness beneath a seemingly friendly tone.

"Of course I've seen a forest before, idiot…just not one that I magically got in by jumping into a well!"

The hanyou, shocked and offended by Bella's "idiot" remark, snorted and turned toward Kagome. "Did you hear that!"

"Yep…" She smirked at him, "I knew I liked her."

"Feh…"

"Kagome! Kagome!" That was the only warning they got before a little ball of fluff jumped into the miko's arms. "Do you have it? Do you have it?"

"Have what?" She asked, giggling.

"Aw, come on. Please, please, please!"

The little kitsune grinned as she pulled something out of her bag. "Here you go."

"Yay! Ninja food!"

"Hey!" Inuyasha crossed his arms and narrowed his golden eyes at Kagome, "what'd you bring for me?"

"Nothing."

"Wha…?"

"I'm kidding. Calm down. I brought plenty of Ramen for you."

"Keh… you better have."

"Inuyasha!"

"Hey, Kagome?" The furball said.

"Yes, Shippo?"

"Who's that?" He asked, pointing at the golden-haired human staring at him in amazement.

"Oh…that's my friend, Bella. She saw Inuyasha back in my time and wanted to come here to meet you guys."

"Cool." He studied Bella for a moment. "She's really pretty. You better watch out for Miroku, Bella."

"Who's Miro…Ohhh!" Her question was interrupted by a hand rubbing her backside. She whirled around to be faced by a smiling monk. "Let me guess. You're Miroku, aren't you?"

His grin brightened, "Indeed I am, fair maiden. Ah, your beauty is truly astounding. Tell me," He grabbed her hands in his own. "Would you consider bearing my children?"

Wha…" Before she could even reply, the monk fell to the ground."

"Houshi!"

"Sango…" He gasped, picking himself up. "My dearest Sango, there's no need to be jealous. My heart belongs…"

Smack!

"Can't you keep you hands to yourself for one minute?"

Bella watched the couple in amusement. This woman…Sango…obviously cared for that pervert. Why was beyond her!

Sango turned to Bella suddenly. "You'll have to forgive Miroku. He's nothing but a lecher!"

"Sango…"

Smack!

"As you've probably guessed, I'm Sango."

"Bella." They each gave the other a curt nod before Sango began speaking to Inuyasha.

"We've heard rumors that your brother is once again planning to steal your father's sword."

The hanyou rolled his eyes, "Isn't he always?"

"Well, yes, but we have reason to believe that he's on his way here now." Miroku added, rubbing the red handprint on his check.

"Feh…guess I better get ready for a fight, then. Kagome, get your friend out of the way."

"Should we take her back to…?"

Nah," He said, his ears twitching, "it's not like he's Naraku or anything. The only thing my arrogant brother wants is my sword-and he ain't getting' it!" A low growl came from Inuyasha's chest. "He's close! Get the girl out of the way!"

"I'll take care of her," Miroku's eyes shone mischievously.

"Oh no you won't!" The demon-slayer glared at him.

"I don't care who does it; just get her out of here!"

Bella's green eyes widened, "What's going on? Inuyasha, you have a brother?"

"Yeah, I do…now get her away!"

But the girl's curiosity kept her from noticing Kagome's hand on her arm. Something was telling her she needed to find out more about this mysterious brother of Inuyasha's. "Does he have ears like you?"

Would som…"

"I most certainly do not have ears like that vile half-breed."

Bella froze at the sound of a smooth, cold voice behind her.