One is All it Takes

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha

A/N: Well here is the second chapter, as I promised it.


One is All it Takes - To go back II

Noriyunne leaned back in her chair, looking up at the ceiling. She sat at a mahogany desk, in a black office chair. On the desk in front of her sat a plethora of papers, scrolls and books. All resources relating to the Higurashi shrine. She was looking for anything that might help explain the scent coming from the girl, Kagome. However she found she could not concentrate on any of the items in front of her. Sighing she rubbed her temples lightly, though it really didn't help. She had a headache.

The majority of her pain was coming from the center of her forehead. She brought her hand there and rubbed the spot were her crest would have been. None of her markings were currently present. Curse this infernal conflicting blood, her mind hissed as she continued to rub the sensitive spot with two fingers.

She had run into the girl again yesterday, after getting a few groceries. It had been a full week since she had first arrived in Tokyo. She had immediately noticed the Hanyou scent was still there, but it was much fainter. She had managed to have a chat with the girl as she walked to where Alder had parked the car. It was then that she had felt the spark of miko powers in Kagome.

This had instantly sent off alarm bells... but the girl seemed unaware that she was of demonic origin. From talking to the teen she did not think she was like the group of spiritualists and slayers that had caused the downfall of her family. She was more powerful, naturally, than they had been; even at her tender age. She also came off as a very tender young woman. Tender and forgiving almost to a fault.

Noriyuune let out a low growl. Her pink lips were pulled back in a snarl, showing off her white fangs. The sides of her neck itched, and she lowered her hand so she could scratch one of the offending spots. A strip of scales adorned either side of her neck, angling down from just under her ears, stopping about midway down her throat. As she scratched she felt some of the scales pull away, falling to her lap. She groaned, reaching down to sweep the scales away from her lap, before she began to absently play with the ends of her hair. Hair that was currently a darker violet shade than usual, and was about waist length. She was in what she called her 'half' phase. Hanyou. Aggravating. Her indigo eyes glared down at her desk, as she reached up to touch one of two silver furred ears. The ears were of feline origin, a lynx as a matter of fact. Extending from the tip of each was a tuft of violet hued fur. I hate this! She inwardly whined, pinching the offending ear harshly.

Even being in human form is better than this body! Her thoughts were violent, her other hand digging into the wood of her desk. Roughly the woman pushed her chair back, rising to her feet with such force she nearly knocked it over. It was always like this. As she began to pace she let out another growl, glaring at anything her eyes fell on. She always pouted, paced, snarled and snapped at anyone nearby. This body made her feel very moody for reasons beyond her. It was possibly because she had no control over when she was in this form; it happened almost erratically. She could guess the week in which the period would fall, but that was about it. It could also be because the transformation somehow messed around with her hormonal balance. She'd never really looked into the matter.

She took this form for three hours approximately every four and half moon cycles. After that she would find herself in her human body, and unable to shift to her youkia self. She would be in that body for nearly a full day, as she waited for her youkia blood slowly regained power after the first six hours. Most of the time she was able to keep herself in human form during this time, and she gladly did so. Anything to avoid being in her damn hanyou form; even if it meant being in the vulnerable human form. That was frustrating too, but at least she was used to being in a human body… more so than that of a hanyou.

She finally stopped her pacing, looking at the fireplace in the study. This room had been her fathers study. That fact momentarily caused a pain in her chest. "Oh otou-sama," she whined aloud. There was a portrait of him holding her as a new born hanging above the mantle. His silver hair was long at the time, reaching about his shoulders. He was dressed in a black suit, though his tie was lose. There was a look of wonderment in his eyes as he looked down at the babe he held. Tears briefly gathered in Noriyuune's own eyes, and she masterfully fought them back. If only her father had accepted her kitten sooner. Perhaps she would not be without the child now... or the rest of her family.

She knew why he could not accept the child easily, however. It had to do with the circumstances of her conception, and the blood the child had inherited. She turned her head to the side, seeing the smaller portrait of herself. She was holding a one year old girl with black locks and chocolate brown eyes. The child looked completely human. That was the biggest problem... or so she had always beleived.

Inevitably this brought her to a painful train of thought, and she shook it aside, looking back at her father's portrait. Her father had been a full youkia. One of few in this day and age. Her mother had been a hanyou. Though she inherited more youkia blood from her mother than human blood, the amount of human blood was enough to cause her occasional issue. She growled again, bearing her teeth. This action made her realize her fangs were gone.

She reached up tentatively for the lynx ears, to find that they were gone as well. Sighing in relief she left the room, looking down the dark hallway."Alder," she called softly, knowing he would hear her anyway.

He was immediately by her side, dressed the same was he always was. Sometimes she wondered if he washed his clothes every day, or if he had a closet full of the same suit. "Yes, Noriyuune-sama?"

"Could you ready the car?" She asked him softly, her still indigo eyes looking into his deep green ones.

Alder frowned at her request, his eyes full of disapproval. "It is highly unadvisable for you to leave the house at this time. You can not rely on your youki for protection in your current state." He was almost fixing her with a glare.

"I know that!" she snapped it him irritably. His protectiveness was aggravating at times. He continued to look at her sternly, cuasing her to let out a sigh, "Alright. Bring my dinner to the study. I will dine there."The man nodded easily at her words, and she saw his lips twitch upward for the briefest of moments. She rolled her eyes at him, "After that you are to prepare the car." She was not going to give up that easily.

Instantly his frown was back. "Noriyuune-sama, as a friend and vassal to your late father, I can not let you leave alone, in your present condition," Alder hissed softly. His eyes showed a hint of red, and he looked at her almost menacingly now. Guilt and intimidation? This was new.

She met his glare without back down. "I am very aware of that, Alder. I wish to go for a drive none the less." The mistress placed a hand on her hip, glaring up at her servant. "I am, however, not fool enough to leave on my own, you silly old snake." Without breaking eye contact, she turned to re enter the study. "You will accompany of course. I can trust you, can I not?" She kept her eyes on him, one hand on the door frame.

Alder blinked, and then resisted the urge to sigh in relief. "Of course, Noriyuune-sama" the hiss in his voice was barely noticeable now, once more his lips quirking just slightly upward. "I will return with your meal shortly." He gave her a respectful bow, and then turned and left her to her own devices.

The hybrid looked after him for a moment, and then slipped fully back into the study. "stubborn old fool," she mused to herself as she returned to the desk. Now that the infuriating time as a hanyou was nearly over she felt she might be able to concentrate on her research now. Rubbing her temples again she slid back into a chair, pulling it forward. Noriyuune then began to leaf through the various papers, looking for something, anything that was promising. Finding a document that looked so, she pushed the others aside. She did not even notice Alder enter the room with a tray of food.

He cleared his throat to get her attention. When she looked up, he set the tray down on a section of her desk that was clear of papers. "The car will be ready when you finish your meal," He informed her simply. She merely nodded in acknowledgement, eyes flicking back to what she was reading. He then bowed his head, and left again. Absently she began chewing on a piece of bread as her eyes flew over the words. She was soon so immersed in it that she did not even realize what it was she was eating. By the time she finished reading she looked rather appalled. "All this time," her voice was bitter as she stood up.

Her answer had been right in front of her the whole time. She just never bothered to look. This was infuriating… but it was too late to rectify. All she could do was use this option now that she had found it… and hope it was not too late for her kitten.

Frowning at that thought she wondered how she could achieve this. Mumbling to herself, she left the tray were it was, and made her way out of the office. Rather than head for the front door she went towards her bedroom instead. Her mind was in overdrive, and she came up with a rather hasty… and perhaps foolish plan. However the final product pleased her, as she slipped into her room.

Alder had been waiting outside the office. He had not even been noticed by the hybrid who he considered his master. This did not bother him, as he slipped into the study and retrieved the tray. He quickly made his way through the very empty house to the kitchen, were he deposited the tray in the sink. He could clean the dishes later. Then the half kitsune, half hebi youkia made his way to the spacious garage. He started the small purple car, and pulled it out in front of the house. He then left the vehicle, and stood by the passenger door… ready to open it for the last Rezei.

When she emerged he was mildly surprised. She was wearing a pale yellow yukata with a light purple obi. It had plum blossoms gently falling down the sleeves, and at the bottom. She had her black hair pulled up in a bun, secured with two hair sticks he immediately recognized. They were actually needles guised as hair sticks, given to her by her late father.

She was carrying a woven bag on one arm, and he saw within it was something white and pale green. "Where would you like to go, Noriyuune-sama?" he asked curiously, opening the passenger door for her.

"A festival," Noriyuune responded to her loyal servant. She saw one of his greying eyebrows raise, threatening to disappear in his greying, yellow-red locks. She just smiled at him, as she entered the car and watched him close the door.

He was around the other side of the vehicle in a flash, and soon in the driver's seat. "And where is this festival?"


Kagome moaned as she finished what she was doing. Now she had to change. She was helping out with the festival they were having at the shrine today. A festival was not a regular occurrence at her family shrine, but it did happen. Whipping a bead of sweat from her forehead, she made her way back to her house. Once there, she trudged up the stairs to her bedroom… doing her best to ignore her grandfather calling after her to get ready.

She rolled her eyes, before she fell gratefully forward onto her bed. She lay with her body half on the wonderfully soft mattress and blankets. Her eyes closed as she managed to relax for the first time all day. It was short lived, as her grandfather continued to call her.

"Kagome! Kaa-Go-Me!" the old man called from the bottom of the stairs.

"I'm getting ready, Jii-chan!" she called back, pushing herself off her bed reluctantly. She mumbled to herself about how it was so inconvenient to live at a shrine, although she actually loved it. Still mumbling she found her dark blue hakama. Quickly dressing she then found her white ribbon which she used to tie her hair back. Absently she looked in her mirror before leaving her room.

Her nose wrinkled as she opened her door. I do not look like her, she told herself irritably, and left her room. She made her way down the stairs, and listened patiently as her grandfather went on about what she could and could not do, and old legends… as usual. She just nodded her head when required, and then went out to do as he asked.

She found it rather uneventfully. The most fun she could have while this festival was going on was to critique what everyone was wearing. This didn't bring much joy to her evening, and she constantly sighed. It wasn't until a little later that something actually caught her eye.

She saw a woman who seemed familiar. At first she was sure she was a teenager, until she recognized her. It was Rizei Noriyuune, and following behind her was a peculiar looking man with hair she was sure had once been a vibrant red. It was the man who really caught her attention. She immediately sensed a moderate youki, and traced it back to him. He was a youkia.

This was very unexpected. She didn't think there were any youkia left in the modern age. He looked like a normal ningen to, although her senses told her that wasn't true. Maybe there have always been demons around, and I just never felt there presence before… my spiritual powers have increased, and that is why I can tell he is a demon, she mused. She had to suppress a frown as she watched Noriyuune and the elder man from the corner of her eye. What is a demon doing here? And why is Rezei-san with him?

This troubled her, but she soon lost sight of the two. For the duration of the festival she glanced around to see if she could find them again.


"What is it you wish to do here?" Alder asked his mistress in a low voice. They were standing away from the festivities at the moment.

"I wish to speak with the Higurashi girl," she answered him carefully. "But it has to wait until this festival is over." She didn't really want to make the conversation public. "Hopefully she is skilled enough to have picked up your presence."

Alder was once more frowning in concern for the woman's safety. "Are you sure this is a wise decision?" the old demon went on. "If she is a priestess, would she not wish to purify us?" He was looking in Kagome's direction cautiously.

"I don't think so," the currently human woman shook her head. "I don't think she is one of them," her voice dropped into hissing whisper, "If she was… she would probably have noticed I was not human when she bumped into me… with her level of power." She licked her lips, also gazing in the direction of the teen. "And if she knew I wasn't human, and she belonged to them, we'd have been attacked by now."

This just caused his frown to deepen, eyes flashing around the area for any possible threat to the young Rezei's life. The ningen were beginning to clear, returning home as the night progressed. Still glancing around cautiously he moved farther into the shadows with the currently human woman. They did not want to be found out before they could get the young priestess on her own.

Alder looked down at the woman beside him. She was rather short, standing next to him. The top of her head didn't quite reach his shoulder. He was rather amazed at how short she was. Her father had been taller then him, and her mother nearly his height. She appeared very delicate standing next to him.

"What?" Noriyunne asked him softly, raising a thin eyebrow. She had glanced over at him to find he was looking down at her. He had a rather peculiar look on his face, which had caught her attention.

"Nothing Noriyuune-sama," He told her, "I was merely remembering your parents." He placed a hand on her shoulder, "We should move farther, some are looking our way." She nodded, and they moved deeper into the shadows till they could no longer be seen. "Why do you wish to speak with the girl?" Alder asked her after several minutes of waiting in the inky shadows.

Noriyuune smiled at him, but said nothing. He would find out soon enough. The two settled into a comfortable silence as they waited for the last of the humans to leave. She tensed when she saw an old man move in their direction. She had to assume he was Kagome's grandfather. When he turned and went back towards the house she let go of a breath she had not known she'd been holding.

She waited a few minutes more, and then stepped out from the shadows, looking cautiously towards the house. She knew Alder was following her without having to look back. Once she was out in the open she waited, prepared to slip back into the shadows should the old man reappear from the house.


Kagome sighed in relief as she trudged up to her room. The demon who had been with the Rezei woman now totally forgotten. She was tired, and just wanted to head to bed. She had to go through the well tomorrow, and needed all the rest she could get.

She moved to the window, grabbing hold of her curtains to pull them shut. A yawn made it's way out of her mouth, and her free hand came up to cover it. Her eyes were half lidded, as she pulled on the curtains. Half way through the motion she froze. Slowly she lowered her hand from her mouth. Her eyes were now wide and alert. Cautiously she turned her head slightly so she could properly look out the window. She couldn't see anything, yet she could feel the presence. So she stepped closer to the window, peering out into the dark. She knew this feeling vaguely. It was the same youki she had felt earlier. Coming from the man with Rezei-san, she thought.

A frown presented itself, as she finished tweaking the curtains shut. She waited a minute before switching the light off. Then she listened intently for the next ten minutes. Finally she moved towards her bedroom door, as the presence was still there. Very quietly she slipped from her room and carefully closed the door behind her. Then she began to creep down the stairs. She found her heart was pounding obnoxiously loud, and was sure someone would hear it. The steps creaked beneath her feet, and she stopped. She could hear her own blood rushing in her ears as she waited to see if the sound has been heard by anyone. When she heard no one, she allowed herself several calming breaths

The young miko was aware of why she was so nervous. She had believed there were no youkia left in her time. However she had discovered this was not so. Now she was going down to meet a demon in her time. It was a rather daunting thought, as she continued to creep towards the door.

Reaching the door without being noticed by her grandfather or her mother, she slipped her feet into her shoes one at a time. Looking back into the house she tried to calm herself again. Then she slid the door open, and stepped outside. She could immediately feel the youki was to the right of were she stood. Looking that way she slid the door shut, before she stepped away from her house. Cautiously she made her way towards the power.

She found she was only mildly surprised when she caught sight of Noriyuune standing by the older man. Absently she noticed the man was two heads taller than herself. Looking at Noriyunne she also noted she was taller than the woman. As she neared them she discovered something else as well. Rezei, Noriyunne was supposed to be thirty, but she looked barely older than herself. This woman looked at least twelve years younger than she was.

"Good evening, Rezei-san," she called softly when she was close enough to be heard. "What brings you to the shrine. The festival is over, as I'm sure you know."

Noriyuune smiled at Kagome. "Good evening, Higurashi-san," she returned the younger girls greeting. "I came to chat… if that is no trouble to you."

Kagome gave a small smile, "Well I can't turn you away, seeing as you've waited so long to chat." She looked briefly back at her house. "Please, call me Kagome."

Noriyuune smiled broadly. "How about we take a walk?" she asked, and when Kagome nodded, she turned. She was making her way farther from the house, while Alder remained somewhat behind. "I'm sorry for coming so suddenly… Kagome-chan." She added the honorific tentatively, waiting to see if the girl objected. When she did not, Noriyuune smiled. "Yuune."

Kagome blinked, and it took her a moment to understand. "Yuune…" She realized it was the second half of the woman's name, and this caused her to smile again. "Yuune… chan," she tested it out shyly, looking at said person as they walked. Yuune smiled at her, allowing her to relax. "What would you like to talk about?"

The business woman's smile faded slightly. "You're a miko," a statement. Kagome nodded anyway. "You can tell Alder is a youkia?" When she said this she looked back to the grey haired demon.

Kagome nodded, glancing back as well, "Yes."

"I am a demon myself… mostly," the female beside her stated.

Kagome looked back at Noriyuune with a start. "A Hanyou?" After all, Rezei Noriyuune felt very human to her. Inuyasha felt the same on the night of the full moon… that was the only explanation she could think of.

"No," came the hardened voice. There was a definite bite in the single word. "I am not even a quarter human."

"Oh," Kagome was taken aback. "Well… You don't feel like a demon," she explained, now very confused.

"Because I do have human blood, there is naturally a time when I am without my demon powers," was the blunt response. Her brown eyes turned to Kagome, and in the moons light they almost looked red.

The miko was silent for a time, before finally nodding in acceptance. "Why are you telling me this?"

Alder was listening more intently now. He wanted to know the reason for this as well. His eyes kept moving between the two women.

"You may be able to help me accomplish something," Noriyuune looked away with the words, her voice dry, before turning her attention back to the girl.

"And that would be?" Kagome asked softly, wondering what she could do for the woman... and why she seemed so distressed.

"To see my daughter again," It was blunt, and definitely not what Kagome had been expecting.

"To see your daughter again?" Kagome repeated. "How can I help you do that?" her voice was now barely more than a whisper, as she looked up at the stars rather than the strange woman she walked with.

Noriyuune had trouble hearing Kagome's words, with her currently ningen senses. When her mind fully registered what the miko had said, she bit her lip. Her feet stopped moving, and she looked determinedly at Kagome.

"The Bone Eaters Well."

The miko's eyes grew and, and she slowly turned to Noriyuune. "What do you know about that dry well?"

Noriyuune was silent for a time, regarding Kagome carefully. Finally she let out a soft sigh, "Can we go inside?"

Kagome had thought her question was being avoided, but noticed the woman shivering. She frowned, thinking of how she could explain Rezei Noriyuune being at the shrine to her mother. An idea occurred to her, and she nodded slowly. "I can make some tea," she said with a smile, before she turned back to lead her visitor back to the house.

Sliding the door open she stepped just inside. "Mama!" she called, and waited till she heard her mother come down the hall. "Um… This is Rezei Noriyuune…" She gestured to the woman behind her. "Her car broke down, and she needs somewhere to wait." She cast a glance at the woman, hoping she would play along with the story.

Noriyuune caught on to what Kagome was saying. easily, a smile forming on her face. "I would be very grateful, Higurashi-san, if you allowed me to stay here while Alder," and she gestured to the man behind her and slightly to the side, "Goes to get the other car."

Kagome's mother smiled with a nod. "Of course, It's no trouble at all," She beckoned the woman inside, before ushering them towards the living room. Alder looked after them a moment before he proceeded back down to the car so the false hood could not be revealed.

Kagome now sat across from Noriyuune at the coffee table. She was pouring a cup of tea for her guest. Thinking her mother was out of earshot she opened her mouth to speak, only to snap it back shut when they heard footsteps coming down the hall.

"Kagome, I brought some snacks," came her mother's cheerful voice as she came into the room.

Kagome had had to hold back a sigh, "Thanks Mama." She managed to keep her annoyance at being interrupted from her voice.

"I'm going to check on Souta," her mother announced. Though the girl had kept the annoyance out of her voice, her mother could tell there was something Kagome wanted to talk to Rezei-san about, without her around. That said she placed the plate of snacks on the table, and then left the room to go upstairs.

Kagome finished pouring the tea, and handed a cup to Noriyuune. "You haven't answered my question," she stated simply.

"No, I suppose I haven't," was the woman's response. "I shall do so now," she went on, before taking a sip of the tea. She placed the cup back on the table, and then looked at Kagome. "I know in the past, long in the past, the well was used to dispose of the corpses of demons." She was carefully watching the teen, trying to gauge how she took the knowledge. "It was said that several days later the bones would disappear." There was the briefest hint of acknowledgement in the teen's eyes. "After discovering this I came to the conclusion the well bypasses the normal flow of time."

"How did you learn this?" Kagome questioned thoughtfully, her brow furrowed. She set down her own tea, in favor of snatching up one of the biscuits her mother had brought them.

"The company I work for has a facet to it not known to the regular people," Yuune began to explain, grabbing a biscuit for herself. "It looks into things like this, and issues to do with demons. All the stuff the general public no longer believe in," her brown eyes flashed as she explained this. She paused to sip at her tea again, before she continued. "I got records on the shrine from them, and after extensive digging I found this information."

The young miko was taken aback. This meant there were more youkia… and the world had not changed as much as she thought it had. It took her a moment to formulate her next question. "What prompted you to research the Higurashi shrine in the first place?"

"Bumping into you, when I first returned," Noriyuune shrugged as if there was nothing strange about that. Seeing the confused look on Kagome's face she went on. "I caught the scent of a Hanyou off you, and I could not smell where they were themselves. I knew you were human, so it perked my curiosity."

Inuyasha, the teen thought immediately, she caught his scent coming off of me because he tried to stop me from leaving again. She almost rolled her eyes as she remembered this. Turning her attention back to Noriyuune she carefully formulated her next question. "So you looked up the shrine, discovered the Bone Eaters well… and then assumed the scent you caught was related to it?"

"Yes."

The gears of her mind were working furiously as she tried to find the best thing to say next. Should she tell the truth or should she lie. "And how do you know it was not a Hanyou in the city you smelled?"

"It smelled canine to me. There are only three canine Youkia in this city and none of them have Hanyou children," the corners of the youkia's mouth twitched slightly at this. She was somewhat amused by the girls evasions. "All full Youkia and Hanyou are registered… for that matter…. Anyone with any drop of youkia blood is registered. I only had to go to the company and asked to see those registered in the city."

"Oh," Kagome said a little dumbly. She had been so neatly caught there. Alright, the next question. "How do you know the smell wasn't from a visiting hanyou?"

"Like I said, all those with youkia blood are registered. Not only are they registered, but their movements are watched. It's purely so We know who could be a threat… and who needs to be protected." Noriyunne shrugged, and took another sip of her tea. "Again, it was simply a matter of me going to the head office, and asking to see the records."

"And besides, if it was a Hanyou from this time I would have smelt their trail, not just the scent coming off you… as strong as it was the Hanyou should have been in the shrine vicinity," she went on, wrinkling her nose for a moment. Her eyes met Kagome's, and narrowed slightly. "Would you stop your Evasions, Kagome-chan? I didn't come to harm you, or force you to do anything."

The younger female regarded her carefully, before she let out a sigh. "The Hanyou you smelled is named Inuyasha. His a half dog Youkia. I released him from the seal he was under, pinned to the Goshinboku for fifty years. That's five hundred years before our era."

Noriyuune felt her heart leap. This was exactly what she was looking for! Well not exactly, but pretty much. "five hundred years?" she repeated, her voice hopeful.

Kagome blinked, wondering at the tone in her voice. "Yeah, five hundred years. On my Fifteenth birthday I was in the well house to get my cat. A Youkia pulled me into the well, and I found my self in feudal Japan." Her eyes remained trained on the woman across from her. She was looking at her tea, her eyes wide. "Yuune-chan," she said softly and waited for said person to look back at her. "How can the Bone Eaters Well help you see your daughter?"

Noriyuune's eyes fell again, and she stared sadly at her tea. "There is group of miko, monks and slayers with great power... some of it unnatural. They took it upon themselves to eliminate all demon blood." Her voice falter slightly as she continued. "They see no place for it in this era. That's why demons, and those kin to them, began to hide their true selves… These do whatever it takes to eliminate the taint of our kind from Japan."

"Five years ago they attacked my home. Many of our servants were less than half demon, so they survived the attack, but… they won't ever be the same. My family, on the other hand," her voice cracked, and she stopped to drink some tea, staring down at the cup for a moment afterwards. "We had no choice but to flee, as there were some in the attackers who possessed substantial reiki. Their attacks would render most of us empty shells, and kill some of us on the spot. While my daughter would have lived, I feared they may finish her off after hitting her. I heard of them doing so to some children… even some who were less than half Youkia."

She closed her eyes as she continued her story, hands turning white due to her grip on her cup. "I nearly fell, and my father stopped running. Many of the family had already fallen. He and a few others decided then to stand their ground. My father gave to me a pendant, and said it could save my daughter. Then he told me to run." As she spoke her voice gradually grew more distant, and it almost seemed as if she was speaking as a bystander, rather than someone who had been involved. "As I did so I looked back to see him fall taking an attack aimed at myself. Even so I could not stop, as my daughter was still in my arms. I tried to use my youki to help me escape... but it had yet to return to me in any amount that would have helped. So I ran under a bridge, and used the pendant to get my daughter to safety. She disappeared in a blinding light, and I had no choice but to keep running"

Kagome listened in a sort of horrified fascination to this tale. She found it hard to believe monks and the like being capable of doing such a thing. She couldn't find her voice though… which ended up being good, because Noriyuune was not finished yet.

"I began regaining my youki as I ran, slowly. By morning I had finally managed to shake off their purusuit. Soon after I realized I could not smell my daughter. I found myself in front of Fumetsu, and a sought help from them. They offered me protection, and I was sent to stay with one of them." She licked her lips, tea now forgotten. "A few days later they found Alder, and I asked him if he knew what the pendant was, hoping he would know as a confidant of my fahter's."

Her eyes opened once more, though they were distant. "Alder couldn't tell me, so I asked the company to help me find my answer. I discovered that the pendant was an item very much like the well, and it sent my daughter back in time around five hundred years. Since then I have been searching for a way to follow." When she finished she found her hands were shaking. She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths.

This time was enough for Kagome to pull her senses back together. "I understand," she said a little hoarsely. She now knew why Noriyuune had come. "Yuune-chan," she began, and then had to stop to think. A frown creased her brow, as she looked at the woman who's eyes were so closed. "If it's possible for me to help you, I will. I promise. I'll do whatever I can to reunite you with your daughter," she was momentarily surprised by her own conviction. This surprise was wiped away when Noriyuune opened her eyes to look at her. She could see the woman had been fighting back tears… but she appeared to have them under control now. "I… I just don't know if you can go through the well to feudal japan."

Yuune smiled sadly, "That's okay. I have to try." The demon then looked at her cup of tea and took a small sip. It was cold, but she finished it off anyway.

Kagome nodded, and finished her own tea. She looked at her empty cup, and they fell into silence. Her eyes wandered to the tray of snacks her mom had brought, but she found she didn't really want anymore. After several minutes of the two of them just looking at various things around the room, Kagome decided to break the silence. "I'm going through the well first thing in the morning. You could try then."

Noriyuune looked up at the girl, and then nodded. She was about to speak when she heard Kagome's mother approach.

"Oh, Rezei-san, your car hasn't arrived yet?" Mrs. Higurashi asked.

Noriyunne nodded, "No, Alder hasn't returned. May I use your phone? He ought to be back by now."

"Oh of course you can," was the woman's response. Noriyunne smiled and got to her feet.

"Thank you, Higurashi-san." She replied graciously. Kagome's mother continued to smile, and got the phone for her. She took the cordless phone and slowly dialled the number, turning her back to Kagome's mother.

The phone didn't even get halfway through it's first ring when she heard the clicking like sound that normally accompanied someone answering. Her mouth moved quickly, giving Alder instructions in a tone that could not be heard by humans. She could not even hear herself speak, but she knew she was, because he responded easily. When her quick orders were done she allowed her voice to raise. "No, Alder. It's not your fault. I forgot the other care was in the shop." She paused, and then spoke again. "A day? I'll have to call a cab then… No I will not call him at this time of night … No… I don't have any cash on me… hold on." She held her hand to the receiver, and turned her head to Mrs. Higurashi. "If it's not too much trouble, could I borrow some money for a cab? Our other Car is in the shop and won't be ready till tomorrow evening."

"Not at all," Mrs. Higurashi said, and was about to go off to get some money.

"Mama… why don't we let her stay the night. I know I wouldn't want to take a cab by myself after dark. Some of the drivers are a little… creepy."

The woman thought about that for a moment, and then turned back to Noriyuune. "Would you prefer to stay the night, Rezei-san? We have the room."

The demon made a show of contemplating that, and then gave her a smile. "That would be nice, Higurashi-san. I can call one of my Colleagues in the morning to pick me up. I don't have any meetings until later in the day… yes, that would be very nice." Kagome's mother smiled, and said she would go prepare the spare room. Noriyuune turned back to the phone and spoke with Alder briefly, before hanging up.

"Well, that went well," She said barely loud enough for Kagome to hear. She smiled, and turned to the teenager. "Thank you Kagome-chan."

Kagome smiled, "Don't mention it." The teen stood, and moved over to the young woman. "I'll get the room ready for you." She leaned closer then on hand on Noriyuune's arm. "You may want to call Alder and ask him to bring some supplies, if you haven't already." Her voice was low, barely loud enough to be heard. She stepped away then, her smile back in place. "I'll tell you when the rooms ready." And with that Kagome made her way upstairs.

The demoness looked after her for a time, before she went back to the front door. Slipping her feet back into her sandals she walked outside, moving away from the windows. There she stood in the chilly night, waiting.

Kagome stretched, before she looked around the room in satisfaction. "That should do it," she announced to no one in particular. She hadn't done much... but that wasn't the point. The teenager turned and left the room, making her way down the stairs. She turned around the corner into the living room, and then stopped, blinking.

Noriyunne was sitting at the coffee table like she had before, drinking her tea. She had the bag she had taken with her to the festival leaning against another, larger bag. Smiling at the girl she placed the cup back down. Kagome snapped out of her momentary stupor, and smiled back at her. "Yuune-chan, the room is ready. Would you like to turn in now?"

"Yes, thank you, Kagome-chan." The woman stood slowly, and then took hold of her two bags. She listened to Kagome's instructions on where the room was… which were rather simple. Then she went to the stairs and trekked up them. She turned and followed the short hall until she reached the door of the spare room. Then she slipped inside the room and closed the door. Letting out a sigh she dropped her bags and made her way to the bed. She was too tired to change, or really take in the room. Pulling her hair down she did little more than loosen her obi before she lay on the bed. She told herself she was just resting her eyes, that she would get up in a minute to change. It never happened. The demon fell asleep still laying over the covers.


A/N: And there is the second chapter for you! Quite a bit longer than the first. This covers the second chapter of the original, and the vast majority of the third chapter. Without all the extra stuff, this one is 6,976 words long.

Thanks for reading. Expect the next installment by September 21st~