Chapter 10: We're where?

The others ran on the grounds looking around for Akane. Kagome's first look was the shrine to the well and to her surprise the door was open. "Inu-yasha, when you came through. Did you close the shrine doors?" Inu-yasha put a finger to his chin and then rubbed his temples trying to remember. Ranma frowned. "Can't you remember more quickly?!" Inu-yasha ignored his impatience and looked down at Kagome who was also frowning. Inu-yasha banged his fist in his palm. "Oh yeah, I remember!" Kagome turned her frown into some relief hoping he said yes. "I never close the doors." He answered. Everyone fell to the ground as Inu-yasha scratched his head. "Thanks a bunch, idiot." Ranma grumbled. Kagome got back up and headed for the well. "Since Inu-yasha forgot to close the doors. There's no doubt that Akane would walk in there to take a look."

They reached the shrine and to the base of the well looking down. "So this is the well that transports you and Inu-yasha to the past?" Ranma mused. "Yes, but it's impossible for Akane to have passed through." Kagome replied. "Well there's no such thing as impossible, Kagome." Inu-yasha reminded. "Yeah, let's go check it out. Ranma, Ryoga, you two stay here." Kagome insisted. "Huh? Why?" Ryoga responded with some anger. "Because I don't want to be responsible for any injuries if you two can't pass through." She replied. "But," Inu-yasha frowned. "You heard what she said, just stay here and we'll be back as soon as possible." The two boys looked at the well and back to Kagome and Inu-yasha then nodded. "Alright." Kagome smiled and said thanks. Kagome climbed up on the well followed by Inu-yasha. "You ready, Kagome?" He asked. "Yes." She nodded. Inu-yasha grabbed her waist and they both jumped down into the well.

Ranma and Ryoga watched as a purplish and bluish light shone through the well and the others disappear at the bottom. "Woah, I can't believe it they actually went through. I thought this was some kind of joke." Ryoga blinked impressed. "Why would it be a joke? It isn't a joke that we turn into something embarrassing." Ranma shrugged. "You turning into a girl is something you call embarrassing? How about turning into a pig, did you see the hell I went through as a pig in Kagome's house?" Ryoga started, but noticed that Ranma ignored him and climbed over the well. "What do you think you're doing, Ranma? Didn't you promise Kagome you wouldn't jump in?" Ranma snorted. "If Akane can get through so can I. I won't let her get all the excitement." Ryoga chuckled and turned his back on him. "I'll be the first to laugh, once I see you fall face first at the bottom." Ryoga sensed something behind him and just saw the light again. He looked down and realized Ranma was gone. "No way, he went through. If Ranma can get through so can I." Ryoga took one leap over the well. "I'm coming Akane!" Ryoga felt his face land into the dirt. He didn't see no light, nothing just blackness. He looked up and saw the roof of the shrine. "Ah! I can't get through! Oh Akane, I left Ranma to come after you by himself! Ah!" He shouted in the well.

Beyond the well-

Akane wandered around the large woods in confusion. "Where am I? I remember falling down in the well and now I somehow got into this forest." Akane continued to walk until she heard something at her feet. She jumped in shock and flew back into a fighting stance. She calmed her stance when she saw her opponent, it was only a cat. "Aww it's only a kitty. Ranma would jump out of his skin, literally, if he saw you." Akane snickered. Then she looked at it again and made a face. "Huh? You're no ordinary cat." The cat was beige with black ears and some black on her tail and paws. She also had a diamond shape black spot on her forehead with red eyes and finally she had two tails. "But yet again, you're still very adorable." Akane commented picking her up and giving her a hug.

Akane had sensed something jump out at her and she leaped away just in the nick of time with the cat. She zipped around on her heels and gasped. "It's a demon." Indeed it was a demon, she knew she sensed something strange. It was human size and blue. "My, my, I thought I smelt something good and I was just getting hungry. It's a young girl, excellent." The demon chuckled. Akane growled and stood in a fighting stance. The cat beside her hissed and transformed into its saber tooth tiger form and roared. Akane's eyes widened. "The cat just transformed into a beast!" Akane shook her head and focused herself on her opponent. "I'm coming at you whether you're ready or not." The demon announced running toward her at full speed. Akane jumped over him with ease and landed behind him as well as her companion. "What's wrong demon too fast for you?" The demon frowned. "Humph, just letting you have your way for now. This girl is good she maybe even faster than me. Now let's get serious!" The demon ran at her again.

Akane waited for him till he got close and kicked him in his face sending him back. "Had enough, demon or you want more?" The cat watched as the girl attacked the demon as if it was a sack of potatoes. The demon was panting and had bruises all over. "I will not tolerate this humiliation. You're all mine now!" The demon closed in on her, but she smirked. The demon struck at her, but she wasn't there. "Huh?" The demon looked around for her. "Up here demon!" Akane shouted. Her companion had lifted her up into the air by her mouth. As soon as the demon looked up he was only able to see two feet smash right into his face. Akane landed on the ground as her friend did as well beside her. The demon wobbled on his feet and fell to the ground defeated. Akane grinned with triumph. "Yay, I-- no we beat him. We make such a great team!" The saber tooth tiger-like animal turned back into her kitten form and waggled her tail. Akane picked her up and cradled her. "Aww you're just so cute!" The cat stroked her head against Akane's chest.

Meanwhile...

Kagome and Inu-yasha had walked around searching for her. "Well Inu-yasha, do you smell her here?" Kagome asked. Inu-yasha sniffed into the air then the ground. "Well yeah, I picked up her scent as soon as we got through, but now it's-" The sound of crashing and smashing had interrupted their conversation. "Huh? What was that?" Kagome asked. "I don't know, but let's go check it out." Inu-yasha suggested and they both ran toward the commotion.

At the well-

Ranma's eyes began to open and found he was surrounded by darkness. He got up on his bottom and winced. "Ow, my head…" He rubbed it and looked up. "I guess I didn't get through. Hey Ryoga, you won the bet can you help me out?" Ranma asked, but heard no sound. "Well fine then, wait till I get up there." Ranma stood on his feet and looked around for something to help him out. He stroked the wall until he felt a rope or some kind of vine. He tugged a few times and was satisfied it was good enough to get him out. He began to climb up when he began to see some light. "That's strange I was sure the well was in a shrine so why is there sunlight?" Ranma made it to the top and looked over and his eyes widened. "What?" He sat on the edge of well and took a look around. "I'm guessing this is the Feudal Era…" He soon started to feel a grin spread across his face and he shouted with joy. "Yaaaah!! I made it through!!!" He got up and danced around a bit until he heard some commotion in the woods or forest. "I'm guessing that's Akane and the others." He straightened himself and ran toward the commotion.

Akane looked back at the demon in disgust. "I can't believe a demon tried to eat me; well I sure showed him. Let's get going." Akane suggested. She stopped when she heard the bushes move behind her. "Huh?" She turned around and spotted Kagome and Inu-yasha. "You two." Akane spoke. "Akane? So you did manage to pass through the well. I thought so." Kagome responded with curiosity. Inu-yasha scanned the ground and found a horribly beaten demon lying by her. "Did you do this?" Inu-yasha asked. "Yeah, I showed the demon a thing or two that I wasn't weak and beat him to death, I hope and anyway I had help thanks to this little cutie." Akane answered showing the cat. "Oh it's Kirara, what are you doing out here?" Kagome wondered. "Oh you know this transforming cat?" Akane blinked down at her and the cat. "Yes, she's Sango's little partner." Kagome nodded. "Oh! A friend of yours?" Akane guessed. "Yeah! Since you're here let's go visit them." Kagome smiled.

Inu-yasha sniffed the air catching a familiar scent. "I can smell him too." He growled. "Huh?" Both Akane and Kagome followed his gaze. "Yo, Akane, are you here!" Ranma called popping out of the bush. "R-Ranma," Akane responded. "Brat! I don't believe you were able to pass through too." Inu-yasha scoffed. "Well you better believe it." Ranma winked. "I somehow can't believe it either. Ranma, did Ryoga pass through too?" Kagome asked. Ranma looked behind him and shrugged. "Hm. I guess not."

"I wonder how these two were able to pass through." Kagome thought. "Oh well, let's go then." Kagome shrugged it off and lead the way to Kaede's hut.

Inu-yasha stood back and watched as the others followed Kagome and grumbled. "Damn, I thought I could get Kagome away from this cretin. He's becoming quite a nuisance." Inu-yasha's mind went off to Kagome and Ranma again.

*Inu-yasha's mind*

"Ahh! Someone help me!" Kagome screamed. She was snagged from the crew by a giant demon. "Kagome!" Inu-yasha shouted after. He unsheathed his Tetsaiga and leaped ready to slice the demon but he felt Ranma step on his head and use him as a spring board and bounded off sending Inu-yasha to the ground. "Kagome!" Ranma called out and kicked the demon in the face throwing him to the ground. Kagome was released and began to fall but Ranma easily caught her bridal style. He landed on the ground softly, back turned from the demon that fell with a loud and hard crash. "He was no match." He boasted. "Oh Ranma, you saved me." Kagome glistened. "Of course I did, you're very important to me Kagome." Ranma smiled. "Ranma…" She blushed. They both gazed deep into each others eyes. "Hey, get off me!" Inu-yasha demanded with anger. Ranma had landed on top of him and was ignoring his demands. "I…can't breathe…ahh!" Inu-yasha watched as the two kissed each other. "No…Kagome!"

*End*

Inu-yasha clenched his fist and watched the others talk among themselves while he strolled behind. Kirara leaped on Ranma's shoulder and he took a look and shrieked. "Ahh!" He screamed running around with the cat on his shoulder. "Oh that's right, Ranma's afraid of cats." Kagome chuckled. Ranma fell into a small water puddle and transformed into a girl. Kirara hopped off him and ran ahead of them. Ranma stood up and looked down at himself "Oh great, just what I needed right now? Hey Kagome, do you think you can boil me some hot water?" Ranma asked tightening his pants. Kagome giggled. "I'll try." Inu-yasha rolled his eyes. "Keh. She'd be stupid to fall in love with this idiot." He mumbled.

"Kirara, Kirara!" Shippo called running through the foliages. "Where on earth did she go? Kirara!" Shippo halted his search when he spotted a couple of heads moving ahead in a distance. He shaded his eyes to get a better view and soon a smiled plastered his face. "Kagome!" He shouted happily and ran down the hill toward her.

Kagome, Ranma and Akane were talking about the feudal era and Inu-yasha was still behind watching them. "Kagome!!" They heard someone shout. "Huh?" Both Akane and Ranma looked ahead. All they saw was an orange ball fly straight toward Kagome, quickly zipping passed them. "Woah!" Ranma and Akane dodged it and the ball hit Kagome straight on. "Oh! Kagome-chan!" Akane gasped. Ranma ran up to her inspecting what hit her. "Kagome, are you okay?" Kagome sat up holding the kit in her arms. "Yeah, I'm alright." She reassured. Inu-yasha showed up and struck the boy across the head. "Ow!" He yelped rubbing his head. "Shippo, you can't just ram into Kagome like that, you idiot." Inu-yasha grunted. "Hey Inu-yasha, that doesn't give you the right to hit him." Kagome frowned. "Shut up, the kid needs to know whose boss." Inu-yasha defended. "Liar you hit me for everything I do." Shippo shouted. "Stay out of this." He growled and knocked him on the head again. "Ow! You see, you did it again!" Shippo cried. "Inu-yasha! Can you stop—?"

"Uh, Kagome, pardon me for asking but who is that?" Akane spoke, interrupting their argument. The three of them stopped and faced Ranma and Akane who were confused. Kagome's expression changed when she realized she forgot about them. "Oh sorry you guys, this is Shippo a fox demon." She replied, holding him up. Shippo looked at the new people in front of him and smiled. "Hi," he waved. "Are you Kagome's friends?" They both nodded. "A fox-demon child," Ranma pondered. "It looks more like a squirrel or something." He took a gander at his large puffy tail. Shippo frowned. "I'm a fox! Take a look at my feet; they don't look like rodent's feet, do they?" Ranma stepped back and Akane passed him nearly throwing him to the ground. "Aw, he's so adorable!" She squealed picking him up out of Kagome's arms.

She stroked his tail and tickled his fox feet. "Kagome the way you describe these demons, they sound so ugly but most of them are so cute." Akane giggled. "Well, I guess you've only seen cute ones so far. You'll be surprised when you hang around here for a while." She responded. "Akane, I've never seen you act like a girl before." Ranma commented. Akane glared at him. "And what's that supposed to mean?!" Ranma shrugged. "I don't know you tell me." Akane punched him in the cheek. "Shut up Ranma." He recovered and stood up. "You are so un-cute!" Akane confronted him. "So what if I am, have I ever been cute to you, Ranma!?" Shippo leaped out her arms back to Kagome's. "Who are these two and where did you meet them?" He asked behind the argument they were still having. Kagome giggled. "I'll explain them to you once we get to Kaede's." She replied watching the two of them fight.

A little later—

"Hey Miroku, where did Shippo get to?" Sango asked. "I think he went off with Kirara, she's missing too." Sango looked around her. "Yeah, you're right." Shippo and Kirara burst in the hut, panting. "Miroku, Sango! Kagome is back!" He shouted with glee. "What?!" Both Miroku and Sango said. Kagome walked in followed by Ranma and Akane. "Hi guys." She waved. "Kagome-chan!" Sango smiled. She stood up and walked toward her friend and gave her a hug. "You're back, what a relief, I thought you really wouldn't return." Kagome hugged her back and replied, "Sorry for making you worry." Miroku stood and dusted off his clothes. "Yes, it's been very quiet since you've been away. It's great to see your beautiful face again." He smiled with a wink. Kagome blushed slightly and then Shippo jumped into her arms again. "Geez, was it that bad without me?" She laughed. "Yes, please don't leave us again." Shippo pouted with puppy eyes. She laughed again and said, "You don't need to put the cute act, I'm staying." Shippo's face lighted up once more and he gave her a hug.

"Kagome, these are your friends?" Akane spoke. Kagome took out a pot and poured water into it and placed the pot over the fire letting it boil. "Yes they are." She answered. Sango witnessed the two girls standing at the door. "Oh hello, who are you?"

Akane gasped. "Oh! I'm sorry let me introduce myself. I'm Akane Tendo." She bowed; she looked over at Ranma and smacked her across the head. "Ranma…" She whispered. "Ow! Watchya do that for?" She asked, rubbing her head. Akane simply coughed pointing her eyes to the others. "Oh! Sorry, I'm Ranma Saotome!" She bowed quickly. "It's great to meet the two of you. I'm guessing your friends of Kagome-chan?" Sango smiled shaking hands with both of them. Akane nodded. "Yes we are."

"Well, my name is Sango." Sango confirmed. "Oh, so you're Sango." Akane grinned. "Yeah, I guess Kagome's told a lot about me." Sango blushed feeling a little shy now. "Hello, ladies." Miroku grinned popping out of no where and startling both Ranma and Akane. "Ah! Where did you come from?" Ranma flinched. "I am the great monk Miroku and I do say you two are very beautiful." Akane blushed but Ranma crossed his arms and huffed. "Hey, Kagome, is the hot water almost done yet?" She snorted. "Just about." Ranma zipped around when she heard Akane shriek. "Hey, what do you think you're doing?!" Miroku grasped her hands in his and looked deeply into Akane's eyes. "Uh-oh, don't tell me what he's going to do." Shippo spoke shaking his head. Sango sat down roughly and turned away from them.

Ranma watched how this guy was holding her hands like he was familiar with her and then he asked, "Would you do me the honor of bearing me a son?" Akane and Ranma's eyes popped open in shock. "Hey, who do you think you are?!" Ranma yelled cutting between them giving him the fist. Akane was too shocked to react how she would normally act around any other perverts in her era. Well none of them has actually asked this most perverted question to her. Ranma however was not pleased; she was ready to beat the bloody pulp out of this guy. "Oh I haven't forgotten you." Miroku assured. "Will you bear my child then?" He asked grasping Ranma's hand. "What?!" Akane and Ranma grimaced and both punched him. "Hey Miroku, you better be careful who you ask that question." Kagome spoke pouring hot water over Ranma's head. Miroku recovered and felt the hands of Ranma turn much firmer. He looked straight into the eyes of a man. "Uh…" Ranma's face was still puckered up. "So, you sure you want me to bear you a son?" Miroku looked up and back down at there hands. "Ugh!" He yelped and jumped back in shock. "What happened, the girl transformed into a man?" Shippo asked. "Hey, I am a man!" He corrected. "I don't understand. Kagome, where did you find this guy, is he a demon?" Sango wondered.

"A demon!" Ranma repeated angrily. "Ranma calm down, you can't blame them for mistaking you as a demon; I mean they deal with tricky demons." Akane whispered. "Are you really a girl or are you a guy too?" Shippo posed. "I'm a girl!" Akane shouted completely forgetting what she told Ranma. "I'll let Ranma explain it for you. It really isn't my place to say." Kagome stated. "Thanks." Ranma nodded. "I guess I should tell you guys, seeing as you're Kagome's friends." Miroku folded his arms and sat down. "Yes, you should have at least explained it before hand." He grumbled. "Well it's your fault, Miroku, for being such a pervert." Sango mentioned. "I hope that taught you a lesson." She added with a snort.

They all formed a circle around the fire and Ranma coughed clearing his throat. "Well it starts off with this. I'm a martial artist and my father carried us to a Chinese martial arts training ground known as 'Jusenkiyo…'" He explained in every detail from beginning to end and finished with a breath. "And that's what happened. I need to find a way to get back to Jusenkiyo and change back for good." Everyone was tight-lipped making Ranma feel nervous. "Someone please say something." He pleaded. "Wow! You're cursed in the form of a busty, beautiful young woman and I can't do a thing." Miroku sighed. "Argh!" Everyone hit Miroku with their bare hands or with something at the same time. "That's not what I meant when I said someone say something!" Ranma growled. "Okay, okay, so that's your problem but does Akane have a problem too?" Miroku asked. "I don't mean it in a sexual way." He defended before someone struck him again. "No, but they're…" Kagome was about to say the word, engaged, but remembered how much they hated the idea and stopped. "Never mind."

Sango stared between Kagome, Akane and Ranma and then snapped her fingers in understanding. "Ah-ha! I get it, Kagome; this is the guy Inu-yasha's jealous over am I right?" Kagome jolted and stuttered. "W-what, j-jealous over who R-Ranma, no that's not it at all!" She suddenly blushed with embarrassment. "Oh that's strange cuz, Inu-yasha came back the other day mumbling about Kagome and this Ranma being together and now I learn this Ranma is you." She indicated to him. Ranma felt his own face heat up and he turned to the side trying to hide it although, Akane noticed. "That fool is a fool, he doesn't know anything. I don't know why he's so worried about that. Oh! That's why he has something against me, because he thinks I'm trying to hit it off with Kagome." Ranma and Kagome faced each other and looked away with more embarrassment. "That idiot." Kagome agreed. "Well that's Inu-yasha for you but why would he be so jealous as to you, I'm pretty sure Kagome has other guy friends that he's run into and he's never overacted like this before?" Miroku pondered.

"Well maybe it's because Ranma's around women too often." Akane spoke with nonchalance. "Huh?" The others reacted. "Hey, where are you going with this, Akane?" Ranma asked but Akane continued. "Why don't you tell them Ranma, tell them how many fiancées you have." Akane suggested with the same tone. "Fiancées, you mean you're engaged?" Sango responded. "Not only that but you say fiancées as in you have more than one." Miroku added. "Now listen, they were all accidents!" He defended. "So there are more?" They proceeded. Ranma flinched and scratched his head. "Hm…let me see there's Shampoo…" Everyone turned to the new voice which was at the door. Inu-yasha was there counting on his fingers the amount of fiancées he had lined up and waiting for him. "There's Ukyo, Kodachi…and there's even Akane. Well that's all we've met so far, eh Kagome?" Inu-yasha sneered. Kagome fell quiet. "Why you…" Ranma started. "You're his fiancée too, Akane?" Sango said. Akane's face went red and she turned away. "It was our parents' idea not ours!" She defended. "I see but how does that explain the others are they too forced into marriage?"

Ranma was about to answer but Inu-yasha beat him to it. "No, I'm guessing their backups." He shrugged. Ranma slammed his fist down and glared. "Shut up, man, you don't know what you're talking about!" Inu-yasha smirked. "Don't I?" Kagome frowned too. "Inu-yasha, stop teasing him." She demanded but Inu-yasha simply snorted in return. "Are you looking for a fight, Halfling?" Ranma growled, standing up. "Ready when you are." Inu-yasha smirked standing in a position ready to attack. "Inu-yasha… oswari!" *CRASH*

Inu-yasha was planted into the ground and Kagome lowered herself down to him. "You're a real jerk." She stated. Inu-yasha recovered. "Keh, there you go taking his side yet again Kagome, even though you know he's the guilty one this time. You act like this all the time when Koga's here I guess he's replacing him until Koga comes back." Kagome was about to explode but she changed quickly into a calmer and soft expression. "Inu-yasha…" She started sweetly but the anger kicked in and she lashed out. "You're completely annoying and I can't stand your jealously around men. You act like an idiot!" She yelled at the top of her lungs. Inu-yasha stood aback but spoke up again. "Jealous? Of you, you must have gone nuts there's no reason for me to be jealous over someone like you!" He shouted back. Kagome was so angry her face was turning red. "Why you…" She roughly pushed him out the door and he was on the ground again. He stood up and frowned. "What the hell?" Kagome clenched her fist. "Why don't you go away and calm yourself before I really lose it!" Inu-yasha snorted. "Fine." He spun around on his heal and began to walk away. "Stay with that, cross dresser for all I care." There was silence and then a loud crash and a cry was heard throughout the forest. Kagome had thrown the pot at his head. "You're such a jerk!" She shouted one last time and walked back in the hut leaving him out cold. "Feh. That Ranma's rubbing off on her. She's become more violent than ever." And he ran off.

Kagome sat back down panting with exhaustion. "I'm sorry, Ranma, Akane, I didn't mean to be rude like that." She bowed. "It's fine. I get pissed off at Ranma like that all the time." Akane replied bonking Ranma across the head. Ranma rubbed his head again and snorted. "Yeah, well at least she still looks cute while doing it." Akane gave him another bonk on the head. "Ranma, are you really that kind of guy? You don't seem like the guy that would claim many girls as your fiancée?" Sango asked. "No I'm not that kind of guy, as I said they were all accidents. You got to believe me." Silence settled in and he looked to Akane for support. "Come on Akane, you know by now that's not how I am." She snorted. "So you say," and turned away. "Oh no! Not you too."

"Hmph! And people say I'm the pervert and this guy has three or more fiancées waiting at his feet." Miroku pouted. "Miroku, please don't sound like you're envious." Shippo commented and Miroku sunk his head down in shame. Ranma stood up. "That's it; I've had enough of this I'm out of here," he said and was heading out the door. "Wait, Ranma, where are you going? You could get lost if you don't know the way." Kagome noted. "I'll be fine; I just need to take a breath of fresh air." He assured and left the hut.

The hut was quiet wondering what just happened a few moments before. Sango turned back to Akane and cleared her throat. "So, Akane, how long have you and Ranma been engaged, have you two gotten far yet?" Akane nearly choked and flushed. "Uh, what are you talking about Ranma and I have not done anything. And it's been more than a year now and we're still stuck with the same problem." She replied quickly. "Oh really? So you two really don't get along even after a year?" Akane simply snorted. Kagome leaned over to Sango and whispered. "I haven't spent time with them for too long but they seem a lot closer than you think. Just watch and you'll see." Sango looked back to Akane and noticed she was flushed and smiled. "I see, I guess you two have something in common then." Kagome blinked. "Huh?" Sango shook her head with a smirk. "Never mind."

End of chapter…

Can Ranma and Inu-yasha ever get along? I highly doubt it they both have strong egos. Are Ranma and Kagome subconsciously feeling for each other? I hope not, that won't be good.

Wow I finally finished it. I had almost forgotten about this story, I was so caught up with the others that it slipped. I'll try and get this going more quickly so be patient.