+A New World+
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or Naruto.
Summary: After completing the jewel Kagome is thrust into a new world that requires her help. Separated from her friends and family she is distraught. Cursing the jewel she is forced to once again be the savior of the world.
+Prologue+
Looking around at the bustling streets of Konoha she watched as civilians and shinobi alike mingled and conversed in harmony. Seeing this scene made her think that this peace would be everlasting but her presence in this world was proof enough that peace would not last. It could be years from now or even tomorrow but she knew that a battle of great proportion would be imminent. She was certain of this because as the legendary guardian of the Shikon no Tama- the jewel of four souls, it was her duty to right the balance between the two worlds, between demons and humans. Her simple presence in this world preordained that soon this world would be caught in yet another battle between good and evil and she was once again in the center of it. The jewel would forever be her burden and her eternal companion even in death, if it even allowed her that.
+CHAPTER 1+
Kagome made her way to the open market place that was always filled with chatter and cheerful greetings of fellow comrades and neighbors. Watching families shopping together and friends chatting with each other made her feel a pang of homesickness and longing.
How long had she been in this world she wondered, without her dear friends and family? Too long she thought, simply too long. She couldn't seem to remember how her friend's faces looked and the jewel didn't even give her time to collect mementos or to say her goodbyes. But no matter how much she begged, cried and pleaded with the jewel nothing changed.
Home she thought once again for the millionth time. Where is home? Is it in the feudal era with Inuyasha, and the gang? Or is it with her family in her own time? This adventure certainly wasn't looking up as her last one was. At least last time she was able to visit her family frequently; however, here she knew no one and did not have the support and stability of either family or friends. Was she expected to go through this all alone?
Sighing she ceased her depressing thoughts for the moment. Instead Kagome chose to steer them to thoughts of dinner.
If I had money I'd make Oden even if it's still to warm for it, she thought. I guess curry sounds good with tonkatsu.
Inwardly thinking about what she had stocked in her cabinets and fridge she almost missed the slight sliver of youkai that teased her senses. Snapping her head up to the right she tried to concentrate on where it was coming from. Pinpointing it to one of the side alleys she excused her self from the merchant stall and decided to follow the youkai that occasionally spiked in anger and pain. Wondering why the youkai's aura felt familiar she quickly made her way towards the source of the spikes of power. And the scene that greeted her made her see red as it often did when she saw someone being beaten mercilessly by a bigger opponent.
"Stop! What are you doing!" she shouted.
Quickly getting between the four boys and the young blond child that they were hitting, a familiar sense of deja vue came on to her. A scene in her mind played out but rather than a blond haired child it was of a red haired and green eyed boy. Shaking the memory away she glared at the boys.
"You shouldn't be bullying other children." She scolded.
"Tch Mom says that he is not a kid but a monster and monsters like him should leave the village." A kid with brown hair and green eyes stated.
"Is that right, than what makes him a monster?" she demanded.
There was a silent pause as she watched them contemplate her question. She could see the kids in front of her inwardly questioning what it was that their parents seemed to hate about the child. But after a minute the boy shrugged carelessly and began to walk away a look of annoyance and disgust crossing his features.
"I don't know and don't care but that kid gives me the creeps." Turning his attention towards his three cronies he motioned them to follow. "Let's go you guys he wasn't any fun anyways. It's no fun if they don't squeal" he stated.
Watching as they walked out of the ally way and into the bustling market place she let out an angry sigh. Turning her attention to the child still huddled on the dirty floor she bent down to ascertain whether or not he was seriously hurt. Reaching up to touch him she saw him flinch away from her touch.
"Shh it's okay I won't hurt you I'm here to help."
Hesitant blue eyes stared at her in distrust before seeing her genuine concern in her eyes.
"Who are you?"
"My name's Kagome what's yours?" She asked.
"Na Na-Naruto" he whispered hesitantly.
"Well Naruto it's a pleasure to meet you" she tried to give a hesitant smile. "Can you move?" she asked worriedly.
"Yes" he winced.
"Hmm, if you don't mind, my apartment is just around the corner I can heal you there."
There was a second of silence before the boy questioned her.
"Why?"
"Why what Naruto-chan?"
"Why are you helping me?"
"Why wouldn't I? Is there a reason I shouldn't?"
"Be.. Because I'm a monster" was the child's whispered response. Sounding so vulnerable and weak it made her heart clench.
She crouched down in front of him.
"You are not a monster Naruto-chan never believe that" she told him firmly. Kagome decided that it was imperative to get him some medical attention and food. Hesitantly reaching for him she quietly told him what she was going to do to him and waited for his acceptance for her help. Quickly and gently lifting the child into her arms she left the dark and dirty ally and walked into the market place. Immediately there was a small hush that came over the crowd. Trying hard to ignore the strange looks and cautious stares the people gave she tightened her grip slightly around Naruto and walked calmly to her apartment.
"Shh it's alright Naruto I won't let them hurt you anymore" she whispered.
Arriving in her apartment she gently set Naruto down on her comfy couch and quickly set out to find her first aide kit. Getting some bandages and antiseptics as well as a new shirt she made her way to him and carefully started cleaning the wounds that he received. Noticing that there were older scars on his body she ascertained that this was not the first time it had happened. A sudden feeling of protectiveness enveloped her and she swore to stop this senseless beating on a child. She inwardly wondered why this was the second child that she had encountered in this world that is completely human but had a demon inside them. What were they doing to these children she thought?
Finishing rather quickly thanks to considerable practice on one dog eared companion of hers she set out to make the child more comfortable. While she tended the skittish child she used a gentle voice and soft touches to make sure he new what she was going to do. It broke her heart to see any child in this state. She wondered if this was how Inuyasha's childhood could possibly be like. It made her angry at people who were so closed minded and unaccepting of those that were different.
"So Naruto-chan are you hungry?" Kagome tried to make small conversation. He had been quiet the last 10 minutes that she had been tending him, not even making a sound when she treated his wounds.
Naruto by this time was viewing her a little less warily. Kagome could see that there was some curiosity and a little confusion in his eyes. But still choosing not to provide her with a response he just nodded in affirmation.
"Great, just make your self comfortable and I'll make us something to eat."
Heading towards the kitchen she glanced into her fridge and sighed. All she had in there was a half gallon of milk, some cheese and a carrot. She really needed to go shopping tomorrow she decided. Turning towards her cupboards she mentally sighed at what she found- ramen. Of course it was second nature for her to always have a supply of ramen somewhere courtesy of her jewel shard hunting days. Absentmindedly touching her chest she decided that she'd make the most out of it.
"Is ramen alright Naruto-chan? It's all I have" She called out softly knowing that most demon's senses were heightened so he'd have no trouble hearing her.
Turning around to see why she didn't hear a response she saw that he had fallen asleep. He must have been tired after what happened today she thought. So she left him sleep for a few minutes. Judging from his body he wasn't fed very well and once she fed him and let him rest for a bit she would have to talk to his guardians.
Quickly cooking the Ramen she set it on top of the coffee table to wake up her guest.
"Naruto wake up. Food's done" but just before her hand made contact with his shoulder a spike of red youkai tendril came shooting out too fast for her to act but ended up wrapped around her hand. At first it seemed to be hostile energy until it tasted her aura and seemed to lovingly caress her.
"That youkai" she murmured. "I'd know it from anywhere."
Brushing back the unruly blond hair she noticed the whiskers on the child's face and the fox like quality that the eyes had.
"Shippou?" she questioned. What in the world? She thought.
An answering thrum of red youkai spiked as if it recognized her voice and his name. Narrowing her eyes she decided to delve deeper, if her suspicions were right than this was who she'd been looking for, for the last year. Clever she thought but dangerous.
Using her powers to delve in deeper to get a better reading on the youkai signature she noticed the seal keeping him in place.
"So I was right. A seal has kept you hidden from me all these years it was clever of them to hide your immense youkai in another living being's life force. But also quite foolish to endanger a child's life" she thought out loud.
Searching for the source of the seal she found it on his stomach.
"I don't recognize this sort of seal but it's very weak and poorly made most likely made by a person with little spiritual powers but if that were the case how were they able to complete it?" she thought to herself.
Turning ideas in her head of how they could have done it and why Shippou was so weak, she almost missed the blonde's stirring. All the buzzing energy must have woken him up.
"Oh hello had a nice nap?" she asked kindly watching his drowsy eyes try to get his bearings straight. "You're in my house. I took you here after those boys attacked you. Do you remember?"
Nodding his head in remembrance he glanced to his right when his sensitive nose picked up an appealing scent.
"Oh yeah I forgot here's the ramen I made. It's a little cold but it should be fine" she cajoled him.
Nervously glancing at the cheerful woman he nodded once in thanks. Glancing at the soggy noodles he hesitantly took a bite. As soon as he swallowed his eyes took in a different gleam than the usual sadness and wariness. Enthusiastically digging into his meal he decided that this was the most delicious meal that he had ever experienced in his life. No one had ever made him a meal before without being commanded by the Hokage. It made him feel just a little bit warm inside to think that this complete stranger had taken him in to heal his wounds and to feed him. After a couple of minutes of nothing but hearing slurping sounds Kagome decided to begin her investigation.
"So Naruto-chan where are your guardians shouldn't they be looking for you by now?"
There was a second's pause before he gulped and looked down on the ground.
"I don't have any." He answered simply and quietly
"Oh." She paused. "Than who takes care of you?" she asked curiously.
"I don't need anyone to take care of me." he told her. He had been alone as long as he could remember. "But the old man checks on me sometimes." he grudgingly admitted.
"So you live alone?" she frowned.
"Yeah the old man gave me an apartment and some money to buy food."
"That won't do" she stated. What kind of person would let a child look after himself. He looked barely 6. "How old are you Naruto-kun?"
"Five" he whispered head down. Glancing up at her through his bangs he told her hesitantly. "The old man gave me an orange jumper yesterday for my birthday."
"Really?" she said gently. "Did you also have some cake?"
Shaking his head no he stared at the empty bowl.
"Well, we will have to fix that won't we?" she smiled. "Would you like to help bake a cake with me Naruto-kun?"
"Really" he asked eyes growing wide. "I get to have a cake?"
"Of course! In fact" here she paused. "How would you like to stay with me from now on?" Talking to the this old man about having Naruto stay with her could come later after she had him settled. There was no way she was going to let him go. Not when he was being starved and beaten on the streets. Besides she thought glancing at his stomach. I've finally found Shippou.
A.N: Let me know what you think. Interesting? Should I continue? I've had this story at the back of my mind for awhile. I just been redoing the first couple chapters for ages it never came out to my satisfaction and I kind of lost what I wanted to do with it but now I think I've found some motivation. Usually reviews motivate me to continue so hope you do.
P.S An Act of Kindness is like a prequel to this one. The mention of a red headed, green eyed child would be Gaara.