Summary: Kagome's family has taken in her cousin from America. Her past haunts her and she cuts herself off from reality by reading. One day Kagome decides to take her day dreaming cousin to the feudal era to try to get her to smile again.

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the other characters…except for Mika, she is mine.

Author's comments: Okay people this is how this works…it's called fan fiction. I'm the fan, it's my fiction. That means I can make it the way I want. If you don't like it, don't read it. Constructive criticism is welcome. Swearing and hostility…IS NOT. Also this is the first fan fiction that I have ever posted anywhere so…..yeah. if there are any errors let me know and I'll be happy to fix them.

A Cruel but kind fate

"Come on Mika, you can't just sit here alone all night…won't you please come with me and my friends to the mall?" Kagome pleaded. Mika shook her head in the negative and picked up a book as she plopped onto her futon. "Why not, do you plan on reading all night?" Kagome inquired. Mika then proceeded to nod in the affirmative as she continued reading. "You never go out, except for school, I just can't understand it." Kagome sighed.

Mika's sigh directly followed Kagome's. "You must understand; reality has been too cruel to me. Even television has some reality to it. My books, on the other hand are another world to me; some place I can go where reality cannot follow. I don't want to go to the mall, its too normal."

Kagome suddenly got an idea and smiled. "What would you say if I told you I could do one better than your books?"

Mika quirked an eyebrow, "How's that?"

"What would you say if I told you I could take you to the feudal era?"

"Don't mess with me Kagome……..if you're telling the truth, then tell me what it's like."

"I am telling the truth. It's so much fun, I have friends there….." Kagome explained and continued explaining all about Inuyasha and the gang and the feudal era.

After they had packed all their clothes they went to the kitchen and packed some food. Mika packed some extra things so she could make some American dishes. When everything was packed Mika made Kagome and herself some spaghetti; not exactly American but then again…America was just a whole bunch of cultures mixed together.

"Hey, Mika?"

"Yeah, Kagome?"

"You're going to make some of these dishes in the feudal era, right?"

"Sure I will…..but do you think that the others will like it? I know Shippo will; all children do. I'm a little apprehensive about letting Inuyasha try it...it's not like ramen, it's not soup, it's pasta."

"I think he'll like it." Kagome giggled, "But you're right, Shippo will definitely like it. Souta loved it."

"Since you said Shippo loves candy, I'm also bringing my home made chocolate." Mika said hesitantly.

"That's great! He'll love it. Everyone loves you're home made cooking." Kagome smiled. Mika smiled shyly at this complement. "Before we go together, I want to go alone to make sure they behave themselves, ok Mika?"

"Alright, Gome, just don't take too long. You know I don't really like being left alone." (A/N: Gome is a nickname for Kagome from Mika…duh!)

"No problem. I'll be back before you can sing your favorite song three times through." Kagome said

"If I can figure out which song that is this week." Mika replied and both girls giggled.

Once Kagome pulled herself out of the well Inuyasha was at her side. "Where've ya been Kagome? We couldda been searching for jewel shards!"

"Oh, Inuyasha, I'm sorry I wasn't here earlier but I have some news. I'll tell everyone when we get to Kaede's hut." Inuyasha grumbled and followed reluctantly.

Within minutes they were there. Shippo and Kirara were outside the hut playing while Sango was helping Kaede with some chores. "Sango, where's Miroku?" Kagome asked.

"In the village. Probably flirting with the village girls. Why?"

"I have some important news and he NEEDS to be here to understand everything." Kagome then looked at Inuyasha. "Could you please go get him so I can start? And Inuyasha…I need him conscious." Inuyasha just "fehed" and leaped off to retrieve the perverted monk.

"Kagome, what could be so important that you need all of us to be here?" Sango asked as she retrieved Shippo and Kirara so that they would be close enough to pay attention.

"I'll tell you when Inuyasha comes back with Miroku."

"Alright." Sango replied.

"Hey Kagome, did you bring me any candy?"

"No Shippo, I'll tell you why after the others get here ok?"

"ok." Shippo's voice held some disappointment.

Five minutes later Inuyasha came back in a grumpy mood as Miroku came back questioning him every step of the way. "Ok Kagome, get talking before I DO knock the monk out."

"I am hurt Inuyasha, I was only inquiring as to what was so urgent…"

"Please Miroku this is important…I've already left her alone too long."

"Who did you leave alone, kagome?" Shippo asked perceptively.

"Thank you Shippo, now I can start my explanation. Now no one ask any questions 'til I'm done. I wasn't here earlier because four days ago we had an addition to our family, we took in my cousin. Her mother and father died recently and no one else in the family wanted to take her in, we didn't want her to be an orphan so we decided she would benefit living with us. Before she arrived to Japan we were sent her paperwork… let's just say that her past is enough to make even the strongest samurai break down in tears." Kagome looked around, the entire group was in awe and hanging on her every word, she could literally see the questions in their eyes but she continued with tears in her own, "I don't want to tell you the details because it's not my place. Even through everything, she is still optimistic, although a little defensive. She is sixteen years old, but at times she acts like she's six. That's always been her nature and always will be. She is Japanese but was born in a different country and has a different appearance." Kagome took out a professional picture of her cousin lying on blanket wearing a white cashmere turtle neck staring at the camera with love shining in her eyes and her perfect white teeth lighting her innocent smile and passed it around.

"She's beautiful Kagome" Sango stated in awe of this girl.

"She looks like a deity." Miroku said

"That picture is sepia tone, to heighten the beauty of it. Her father always had her take pictures like this one…her hair is the color of the sun and she has freckles that are the color of cinnamon. Her skin is paler than mine and her eyes are deep blue with orange in them, so they may look green at a distance, but once you get close you can see it. She's shorter than me and she has stopped growing. But don't mistake her, she knows how to fight, she's had her fair share of it and knows the way of the ninja and the samurai. She's very proud of her Japanese heritage even though mostly her Irish heritage shows through. She is always reading and writing stories. She was never interested in going out with me and my friends. She would walk through the woods and sing and dance…I got worried so I invited her here. I left her home so I could tell you guys how to behave around her. She's very shy and she's been through a lot and may be subject to a few breakdowns, so Miroku don't touch her or ask her to bear your children. And Inuyasha don't tease and degrade her. Sango, I have no worry about you, but don't come on too strong, she may take that as you being fake. Oh and NOBODY and I MEAN NOBODY ask her about her scars!"

Inuyasha thinking he'd be good and understanding looked at Shippo and said, "Don't bug her either Shippo."

"I won't do anything mean to her!"

"Actually Inuyasha," Kagome interjected, "that's the best thing he could do. It would make her more comfortable." Inuyasha sweat dropped at that. "If anything I worry about her spoiling him too much." Kagome added as an afterthought.

"Why's that, kagome?" Sango inquired

"Um…she would see him as a child and would want to cuddle him and basically wait on him hand and foot. She actually made him chocolate from scratch. She's a really good cook."

Shippo looked awestruck, "she made me some candy? Is that why you didn't bring any? You said you buy it at the 'store'."

"Yeah she made everyone some and she's making dinner tonight. I'm sure you'll all love it."

"What's the difference in you or her making the ramen, Kagome? Even Miroku can't screw that up." Inuyasha put in.

"She's not making ramen, she's making spaghetti. It's an Italian dish and everyone who tries it loves it. It's kinda like ramen but it isn't exactly the same. Well, I'm going to go get her now. God knows what she's decided to wear. Her clothing choice is a little odd. Well I'll be back in like three minutes guys." With that Kagome took off.