In the present Kagome opened the door to the shrine to find the evening sun low in the sky, just as it was in the feudal era

In the present Kagome opened the door to the shrine to find the evening sun low in the sky, just as it was in the feudal era. She could already smell her mother's cooking.

I can't wait….

She wondered if her cousin had arrived yet. She closed the sliding door behind her, and then broke into a light jog to her home.

She entered her house, took off her shoes, and appeared in the kitchen. "Oh, Kagome. Your just in time, Racheal went upstairs to your room. Tell her dinner's ready, please," her mother smiled.

"Alright," she piped, heading up the stairs. She opened her door slowly, but opened the rest quickly when she spotted her cousin sitting on the bed.

"Racheal, I'm so glad to see you!" Kagome grinned, opening her arms wide.

Her cousin raced quickly into her hug.

Kagome held her tightly; she hadn't seen her since they were both eleven. Now that they were fifteen, they could really catch up on each other.

"How have you been?" Kagome questioned. Racheal smiled and said," Just hoping I pass school."

You have no idea… Kagome thought.

"Mom says dinner's ready," Kagome informed. "Let's get down there before Sota hogs all the dumplings."

They smiled as they headed downstairs; happy of each others company.

Dinner flew by with friendly chatter and deep discussions of this and that.

Kagome asked, " So how long are you staying with us, Racheal." She wanted her cousin to stay for a while.

"She's staying for the summer," her mother answered, looking at Kagome with a stern face, warning her of her cousin finding out about her "place".

Kagome became worried, she didn't want Racheal to find out about the feudal era, but she couldn't just not go back for the summer. Naraku would be on the prowl.

She'd have to be super-sneaky.

"Kagome will be going to a boarding school," her grandfather said after seeing the worry in his granddaughter's eyes. "She will be gone over long periods of time."

Her mother shook her head in agreement, while Kagome sighed in relief. He had developed a quick wit, since he lied for her at school.

Racheal smiled. "Oh well, I at least I get to see you every now and then." "Yeah," Kagome piped. She hated to lie to her cousin, but she couldn't just tell her she traveled back in time. She'd think she was crazy.

"Kagome…Kagome…" said a voice outside her thinking. She snapped back realizing her cousin was speaking to her. "Who's your mind on," she stated. Kagome blushed heavily. Racheal had caught her in the act and didn't know it

She couldn't help but think of him; Inuyasha. He was probably standing there near the well pondering whether he should come and get her; going against her warning, or stay where he was. Staring into the void that lead to the entrance to her world.