The sun was shining brightly in the feudal era, the sky was a clear blue and there was a slight breeze passing through the area. Most villagers were taking advantage of the clear day but others were staring at a group whom were fighting amongst themselves. Two certain people in particular who were causing a scene; a human teenage girl and a half demon.
"Come on Inuyasha. I won't be long." Kagome pleaded, her hands outstretched and clasped. The silver haired half demon looked at her huffily. "No, we need to look for the jewel shards! Besides, didn't you just go home a few days ago?" Inuyasha responded.
"It's been over a month!" Kagome retorted. Meanwhile as their argument continued a monk, demon slayer, and fox demon were watching from the entrance of Kaede's hut, all holding bored gazes. They all knew far too well how this argument was going to turn out.
"Inuyasha will never learn, will he?" Shippo, the fox demon, asked as he continually licked at a red lollypop Kagome had given him earlier that day. Sango, the demon slayer, sighed, continuing to watch the argument. "I'll go retrieve Kagome's bag." Miroku, the monk, stated, retreating into the hut.
Kagome stomped her foot in irritation. "Inuyasha I've already missed way too much school and I would like to go see my family once in a while. They've got to be worried about me!" Inuyasha however wouldn't be fazed. "Forget it." Kagome balled her hands into fists. "Sit boy!" Upon Kagome's demand Inuyasha plummeted face first to the ground. Quickly walking towards the hut she grabbed her bag from Miroku offering a smile. "Thanks a lot Miroku. I'll see you guys later." After receiving a nod of approval from them all she ran towards the forest.
"See you later Inuyasha!" Kagome yelled upon passing him, ignoring his mumbles of protest. She continued through the forest and upon reaching the bone eaters well she jumped into it, allowing the familiar blue aura surround her. The aura vanished as quickly as it came and looking up she saw the familiar wooden boards of the well house. She climbed the ladder and proceeded into her house. "I'm home!" Kagome yelled, taking off her shoes at the door.
On cue her mother walked out of the kitchen, wearing an apron and having a washcloth in her hand. "Kagome welcome home dear." Kagome returned the smile, giving her mother a hug. "I just finished making lunch, why don't you come and get something to eat?"
"Sounds great mom thanks." Kagome thanked, following behind her mother into the kitchen. Walking into the familiar room her grandfather was sitting at the table and he noticed her immediately. "Kagome, nice to see you home," Kagome smiled but noticed her younger brother, Souta, was missing at the table. "Hey grandpa, where's Souta?" Instead of her grandfather, her mother answered.
"He went to the grocery store with Yuuna and Mai." Kagome blinked, confused. "Yuuna and Mai," Her mother looked back at her with a small laugh. "Oh, I guess you haven't had a chance to meet them yet. They have been staying in the guest bedroom for the past few weeks." Kagome gave her a surprised expression, giving her cause to continue with an explanation. "I was coming home from the grocery store when they were waiting at the bottom of the shrine steps. Apparently I had forgotten a carton of milk at the store and they came all the way here to give it to me. Of course I offered for the two of them to stay for dinner but after hearing they were staying in a hotel in a bad part of the city I offered for the both of them to stay in the guest bedroom. Despite multiple declines she soon gave in and accepted. They have been staying here ever since."
"Oh yes, Yuuna assists with cleaning around the house when she's not helping Mai with her studies and Mai often enjoys hearing about our family history." Grandpa added with a proud smile on his face. Kagome's thoughts began to race regarding how they were explaining her missing appearance when she's in the feudal era but before she could ask she heard the front door open and close. "Mom, we're back!" Souta called walking into the kitchen struggling with a plastic grocery bag stuffed to the brim.
"Oh Souta, let me help you with that." His mother said, taking the bag from his arms. Souta then noticed the additional presence in the room. "Kagome, you're home! When did you get back?" She looked towards him. "Not too long ago. Where-,"
"Auntie, we're back!" A young girl's voice called out, interrupting Kagome. A young girl appeared at the doorway, quickly making her way to Kagome's mother's side. "Hello Mai." It seemed her mother couldn't help but smile at the child. The girl had dark brown hair framing her heart shaped face reaching to her shoulders and bangs which hung just above her dark green eyes. She was wearing a simple green dress which noticeably brought out her eyes. Kagome also took notice of the purple wristband around her left wrist. She couldn't place it but something about the band bothered her.
Regretfully she pushed the thoughts to the back of her mind and placed it back to her mother who was still talking to the girl. "Mai, where's Yuuna?"
"I'm here." A voice followed on cue. Kagome turned to see a girl about her age come to stand by the doorway of the kitchen, groceries at hand. Kagome couldn't help but note how pretty she was. She had dark brown hair as well, a close match to Mai's but hers reached past her waist, layers throughout and she had bangs as well which framed her face aside from the few stubborn strands which hung in her eyes which were a clear gray. Her attire however was not as colorful as Mai's. She simply wore black cargo pants, a snug white t-shirt, and a black scarf wrapped twice around her neck.
Seemingly oblivious to the fact Kagome was in the room Yuuna began putting the groceries away, causing Mai's attention. "Big sister, can I help?" Smiling Yuuna picked her up so she could sit on the counter and she started to help place items in the cupboards. "I bought some medical supplies just in case they are needed when Kagome comes back." Yuuna's statement caused Kagome's expression to falter.
"Thank you Yuuna, I'm sure Kagome appreciates it as well." Kagome's mother responded making Yuuna laugh, realizing she didn't notice there was another living person in the room.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. I wasn't paying attention I didn't see you sitting there. It's nice to see you made it back well and I finally get a chance to meet you. My name is Yuuna Kuroami, Mai say hello." Mai smiled, "Hi Kagome, nice to meet you!" Yuuna directed her attention back to the groceries.
"It's nice to meet you too. Thank you for the supplies." Kagome stated. "It's not a problem, I'm glad to help. There should be more than enough for you and your friends." Yuuna responded taking Mai off the counter. "All of your schoolwork is also on your desk in your room." She looked to Kagome's mother. "We already ate but if you need any help for dinner let me know, I'm taking Mai upstairs so she can do her homework." Upon hearing homework Mai pouted.
"Aw, do I have to? We have company over." Yuuna smiled. "Nice try, you know you have to finish your work and don't pout or you won't get your surprise." Mai's face brightened. "A surprise," Yuuna nodded, "The sooner you finish your homework we can go get your surprise." Mai gave a cry in excitement, taking Yuuna's hand dragging her out of the room. Kagome's mother giggled and the smile hasn't left her grandfather's face.
"Mom, I'm going upstairs to play video games." Souta stated while leaving the room. "Mom, are you sure it was a good idea to tell Yuuna about me going to the feudal era?" Kagome asked.
"I don't see why not, it would be hard to keep your absence a secret especially if they saw you come from the well house randomly when you've been gone for a long period of time." Her mother responded. "I guess; how old are Yuuna and Mai?"
"Well Yuuna I believe is seventeen and Mai just turned six a week ago." She responded. "So is Yuuna going to the same school as me?" Kagome asked.
"Actually Yuuna already graduated and is looking into different colleges. She mostly helps Mai with her schoolwork though considering she keeps Mai homeschooled." Her mother answered. "Yes, it's quite remarkable how much Yuuna has already accomplished." Grandpa added taking a bit of his lunch. "Young Mai is smart for her age as well; her reading level is already at a fifth grade level."
"Here's your lunch dear." Her mother placed a plate of food in front of her ending the conversation. It didn't take long for Kagome to finish eating. Walking upstairs she heard voices coming from the guest bedroom. Listening she heard Mai recite various mathematical equations, earning approvals from Yuuna when her answer was correct. She advanced towards the door, not able to contain her curiosity.
"Alright Mai, I'll set up the test and you can begin." Yuuna said. Kagome was so distracted, trying to hear what she was saying; she didn't notice the sounds of footsteps coming from the other side of the door until the door handle was turning. The door was opened fast and abrupt by Yuuna, making Kagome yelp in surprise and fall backwards on her backside.
Hearing Mai laugh Kagome opened her eyes and looked up at Yuuna standing above her, she clearly was not amused. Arms crossed, Yuuna was looking down at her with a cold glare in her eyes. "Your mother never mentioned you were into eavesdropping." Yuuna stated. Kagome immediately got to her feet and bowed apologetically. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean-"
"Never mind, I'm the one who is new here to you, not the other way around. After all this is your home. Don't worry about it." Yuuna stated and smiled once Kagome regained her posture. Kagome nodded and glanced past Yuuna and her jaw dropped a bit when she noticed the room was completely changed from what she remembered.
Before the carpet and walls were a subtle peach, the carpet being a darker shade than the walls. The only furniture was a small brown dresser, a twin sized bed, and a brown nightstand with a lamp perched on top. The room had a double door closet which was painted brown.
The walls were all white except for the far wall which was a light tan. The carpet was plush, the color olive green. All the furniture was replaced; now in the room was a king sized bed against the far end of the room, which Mai was currently sitting on, beside the bed to the left was a black nightstand with an alarm clock and a lamp. The bed had a black comforter, two large black pillows, and two small green and tan throw pillows. Against the left side of the room beside the closet was a black dresser, an oval mirror hanging above it. On the left wall beside the door was a black pull out sofa, a glass table in front of it. The window at the far wall straight ahead was covered with black drapes, blocking out most of the sunlight coming into the room. What mainly caught Kagome's eye looking around were the various pictures hanging from the walls.
Kagome's attention went back to Yuuna seeing she was staring at her peculiarly. "Mai, go ahead and get back to your test. I'll be back in a minute." Mai directed her attention back to the laptop in front of her. Yuuna walked out of the room, closing the door behind her, she motioned for Kagome to follow her as she walked down the hall, towards Kagome's room. Kagome followed obediently, her jaw dropping noticing the stack of papers sitting on her desk when Yuuna opened her bedroom door.
"Is that all the homework I missed?" Kagome asked. "Most of it, there is also some extra credit that I picked up for you just in case you didn't do well on your tests when you go back to school." Yuuna answered. Kagome approached the desk, immediately started to look through the paperwork.
She seized when she heard Yuuna close the door. "You're homework however is not what I wanted to talk to you about." Yuuna stated. Kagome turned towards her seeing her lean against her doorframe, her hands in her pants pockets. Kagome glanced at her curious. "I was talking to your grandfather some time ago when Mai and I first moved here and he mentioned the shikon no tama, the jewel of four souls. Mentioning that the jewel was the sole reason behind you traveling back and forth from this time to the feudal era because you were searching for it and I was wondering if they looked like the souvenirs your grandfather was attempting to sell."
"You only want to know what they look like?" Yuuna nodded an almost bored expression on her face. "Well, it does look similar to the souvenirs; it looks like a crystal stone, about the size of a large marble."
"And what is the possibility, per say, of the jewel splitting into various pieces?" Kagome's defense went up immediately; caution began playing its part and a little too late for Kagome's taste. Yuuna began to unravel the scarf around her neck. "I don't know how long you have been on the path for searching for these jewel shards but did you ever consider the possibility some crossed into this time somehow?"
Kagome faced her, still puzzled why Yuuna was asking these questions but as she was unraveling her scarf Kagome noticed a black chocker the scarf was concealing, but as Yuuna continued to unravel the scarf Kagome saw a glimmer of something on the middle of the choker. When Yuuna had the scarf in her hands, allowing Kagome to get a better view of the choker, Kagome inwardly gasped. Vertically placed in the front of the choker were four jewel shards from the shikon no tama.