Many Worlds, One Special Person

For Kagome, living a double life was hard. The Heroes of Millennia understood because they had different roles not just in their world, but in the other worlds as well. Kagome had to return to her time period to prepare for her entrance exams.

Emily continued to look at the Bone-Eaters Well even after watching Kagome disappear to the other side. "Are you just going to stare all day?" Kaiba asked.

"It's just, I've been thinking, if I could follow Kagome to her time, maybe I could ask her family if I could use their kitchen to make my homemade baked goods for the journey," she wondered.

"Why not give it a try?" Joey suggested.

The blonde girl smiled. "Yeah, why not?" So she jumped into the well. Her friends watched, but didn't see her touch the bottom.

"I guess she made it to the other side after all," Joey wondered. "If she did, I can't wait for Em to bring back her desserts and baked goods."

"We do need food for the journey anyway," said Kaiba. "I have missed her treats after not having much decent food in this world."

Yugi sighed. "I know I shouldn't worry and that Emily can take care of herself, but-"

"You just care about her too much, don't you?" Inuyasha interrupted. "I feel the same way whenever Kagome goes home." He moves closer to Yugi and whispers, "Don't tell her I said that."

"Don't worry," Yugi promised. "But you're right. I care a lot about Emily. I love her. I also know she loves me."

"Yeah? How do you know?" Inuyasha asked.

"We've been friends for a long time," Yugi explained. "We've even told each other so." He stops smiling as he starts thinking about Rafael. "However, Emily has had some boy trouble; especially with Rafael."

"Rafael? Why, is he crazy about her?" Inuyasha wondered.

Yugi nodded. "He can't even accept that Emily doesn't even like him, but he gets so pushy and won't take 'no' for an answer."

To Inuyasha, this sounded like the trouble Kagome had with Koga, how he kept on boasting that he was in love with her and she was his woman. Inuyasha didn't think Yugi had anything to be jealous of if Emily didn't even like Rafael, but he figured that Yugi should at least toughen up and help her.

Meanwhile, in the 21st century, Kagome's family was taking a mini vacation at a local hot springs. Other than that, it was Sunday afternoon, so there was no school. Kagome tried calling her best friends, but they were all out in town hanging out. Nonetheless, she tried to concentrate on her studies. She even gave Emily permission to use her kitchen and bake treats and deserts.

Back in the feudal era, Inuyasha kept thinking about Rafael and what he could do to help Yugi help Emily with her trouble with him. "Hey, Yugi, how big is this Rafael guy?"

"He's more than twice my size," he answered.

"Really," the half-breed asked. "Well, you're gonna have to fight him."

"I what?" gasped Yugi.

"You have to put Rafael in his place."

"Inuyasha, no," Yugi replied. "I'm not a fighter."

"I'll teach you," he insisted.

"I've never even hit anybody before," Yugi confessed.

Inuyasha turned around. "You love the girl?"

"Of course I do," Yugi answered.

"Then shut up," the half-breed barked. "It's time for you to toughen up." He smiles a little kindly and adds, "Besides, a little basic training could help you out for when we next face Naraku or Magatsuhi."

"Well, I guess when you put it that way," Yugi was saying. He smiled back and agreed to practice fighting with Inuyasha. Kaiba and Joey got the same idea and decided to practice as well. Joey admitted he wasn't much of a marksman and agreed that he could use a little target practice. He shot arrows at trees and targets. Kaiba decided to get back in tune with his spiritual power with help from Miroku as well.

At the same time, in the modern era, Emily wasn't just baking treats for her friends. She was also helping Kagome with her studies. Also, Kagome's mother, grandfather, and little brother came back home with souvenirs. They were also delighted to meet Emily and even tried some of her treats. They agreed that Kagome's new friend was a talented baker.

Time passed and everyone back in the feudal era continued to wait for Kagome and Emily to return. Upon waiting, Inuyasha remained determined to teach Yugi that it wasn't enough simply being in love with Emily and the time would come when he would have to fight for her. But with Rafael as his opponent, would Yugi be up for the challenge? Yugi didn't think it was necessary for helping Rafael understand that Emily already loved him, but he agreed that this training would help build up not only his fighting skills, but also his confidence.

Things hadn't changed for Kohaku. He remained unconscious, causing Rin's worry for him to grow. Max could plainly see that the girl had strong feelings for the boy. "You care a lot about him, don't you?" She asked her. Rin nodded. Max didn't want to give the girl false hope, but she didn't want her to keep worrying either. Instead, she smiled and said, "You know, Rin, I think he has feelings for you too."

"Do you really think so?" she asked.

"I'm sure of it," Max answered. "If he didn't, he wouldn't have always put himself in harm's way for you."

"What about you, Lady Max?" Rin wondered. "Is there someone you have feelings for? Does he have feelings for you too?"

Max didn't want to lie to Rin. She knew a lot of guys who had crushes on her. She also thought about Bakura and knew that he loved her to death. Sadly, she did not love him in the same way. Other than that, she thought about Sesshomaru. She was clearly enchanted by his strength and appearance, but she hadn't yet decided if she was in love with him or not. Finally, Max replied, "Well, let's just say I haven't found the right one yet."

Rin accepted Max's response. She also changed the subject and asked, "Lady Max, you'll stay with us forever, won't you?"

She couldn't promise that. Max still had her responsibilities back home and couldn't just throw it all away. She smiles compassionately and says, "Rin, no matter what happens, I'll always be with you."

Perhaps Rin had no understanding of what kind of life Max had, but she loved Max no matter what and wanted to be friends with her forever. Still, she accepted Max's answer and hugged her. Max hugged her back.

After spending eleven days in the 21st century studying and working hard, Kagome made it through her entrance exams. She wanted to have a feast to celebrate her hard work, so she asked Emily to come shopping with her. The blonde girl was happy to come along. While Kagome and her mother would be cooking, Emily would be making desserts. At the same time, she returned to the feudal era and invited Yugi, Joey, and Kaiba along. Happy to hear about Kagome's progress and excited about a feast, the boys eagerly came along. Even Inuyasha couldn't resist and invited himself. Everyone just hoped he wouldn't cause too much trouble.