Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, just this fanfiction.
Chapter 1:
"Haaah!" Valerie leapt forward and struck her rapier against the side of her opponent. The both of them froze in place for moment, allowing the referee to call the point and end the fencing match.
The dark haired Valerie shook hands with her opponent before tearing the hot protective mask off of her face as she walked back to her bench. She uncapped her water bottle and let the cool liquid slide down her dry throat. With her other free hand, she wiped away beads of sweat on her forehead and glanced at the taller approaching man.
"Nice work, Valerie. Just a few more days of training and you'll be ready for the regional's competition."
"Thanks coach."
"Valerie… I just want to let you know that I'm glad you made me reconsider. I honestly didn't think you had it in you, especially joining us so late in the season. But I was wrong. I hope you weren't offended when I refused you the first few times."
"Not at all. It's easy to judge a book by its cover. Gotta remember to read it first." Valerie took a few gulps of water before slinging her gym bag over her shoulder. "See you tomorrow, coach!"
"…" The older man watched as she walked out of the training facilities. 'That girl has got a mind of her own. Stubborn to say the least.' He sighed.
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Valerie let a sneeze escape and shivered. The cool air that felt nice against her heated skin not more than 10 minutes ago was now working against her favor. Goosebumps rose on her skin and she cursed at herself for not changing when she had the chance. All she had on now was her loose white yoga shirt, black leggings, and her backpack.
Of course, she allowed pride to get the best of her and refused to appear cold to passing cars and walkers that might take pity on her. It was foolish, of course, but she needed to prove her strength. 'Nobody wants to play with a weak and sickly child,' Valerie thought darkly.
Her cold thoughts were shattered by a loud slam and the sound of glass breaking near her. She stopped in her tracks and looked at the tall set of stone stairs that she had just passed. Curiously, she walked back and peered up the steps. At the top appeared to be a shrine with a red roof. She turned back, about to continue on her way home, when she heard another thundering bang from atop the stairs.
Curiosity took hold of her and she allowed it to take her towards the noise. Her sore legs were aching from fencing practice already and climbing the stairs were hell on her muscles. Once she reached the top, she peered around the grounds of the shrine only to find nothing. It was so quiet and still. Truly a place of peace. Valerie rested her eyes and breathed in deeply.
A gust of wind blew a couple strands of Valerie's beautiful long hair across her face. A large tree bound with a thick rope caught her attention for a few moments before she noticed movement in the corner of her eye.
There was a girl in a green school uniform making her way towards a small wooden building. Valerie decided to follow her.
"Ah, miss? Is everything okay? I heard some…"
Valerie peered around the corner of the wooden door to see the schoolgirl standing on top of a well's edge. The girl's knees bent and the girl jumped.
"Wait!"
On instinct, the bewildered Valerie leapt forward and dove for the other girl's hand. Her hand managed to grab a hold of the schoolgirl's left wrist and the girl's eyes snapped up at Valerie in surprise. Unfortunately, Valerie wasn't in the position for rescuing and, instead, fell towards the well's bottom right after the schoolgirl still with a firm grasp on her wrist.
Valerie clenched her eyes and braced herself for an impact of either freezing water or hard Earth- neither of which she welcomed with open arms. Instead, she felt herself in momentary suspense before softly landing on her butt.
"No way..!"
Valerie opened her eyes to the exclamation and allowed her chocolate eyes to adjust before resting upon the girl clad in green and white before her. She saw the girl open her mouth to say something else, but Valerie instantly cut her off.
"Just what the hell do you think you were doing? If you've got a problem then get some help. You don't need to go jumping into a well! What's wrong with you?"
"You've got it all wrong!"
"Then, pray tell, why would anyone willingly thrust themselves into the depths of a well? Don't tell me you were trying to check the water level." She retorted sarcastically.
Valerie stood up and brushed herself off while staring incredulously at the girl in green. She held a hand out to the still sitting girl and helped her stand.
"No. That's not it at all. And thanks. I was actually... Hey, aren't you going to even listen to the answer you asked for?"
Valerie was already making her way up and out of the well.
"You can explain in more detail after we're out of this hell hole. Ugh."
Valerie hoisted herself up and over the edge of the well. There was too much light to be in that little wooden shed. Valerie took a moment to survey her surroundings.
There were birds chirping, not cars rumbling. There were trees everywhere she looked, not towering buildings. There was grass littering the ground, not trash. There was an endless clear blue sky above her, not thick gray smog. There was silence, not noise.
"Do you need more detail than this?"
"…." Valeria looked back at the schoolgirl jumping out of the well questioningly. "Where are we?"
"If I said Feudal Japan, would you believe me?"
"No."
"If I were to show you…"
"I might believe you."
"My name's Kagome, by the way."
"I've never met anyone under such odd circumstances before."
"I assure you, it'll only get more odd from here, ah…."
"Valerie. Pardon my manners."
"Valerie" Kagome said carefully. "Let me show you what you've just somehow stepped into then."
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