Apologies for the wait! I decided to let the dialogue do a lot of the storytelling in this chapter! Notes at the end! Enjoy!

Towa feels like her heart is crawling up her throat. She takes short breaths, backing up until her knees hit the side of her bed and she sinks down. She glances up through her lashes as Riku hesitates to approach her.

"Towa…"

"I-" She clenches her hands into her skirt. "I need a moment."

"It's alright…" Riku sits beside her, his hands tucked in his lap.

He looks even more alien than before, just a normal boy sitting on a normal bed in a normal bedroom.

Towa composes herself as best she can, fighting the urge to cry. "So…do you think I'm the only one who knows?"

"I would have to say yes. Your…sister hasn't tried to stab me yet. And we know your cousin wouldn't be the type to keep this to herself."

Towa lets out a dry laugh as she imagines Moroha making a scene. Tears threaten to spill once again at the idea. "No…no she wouldn't…"

"Perhaps there's a reason why you're safe. You spent enough time here before…"

"Maybe…" Towa leans back on her hands, meeting Riku's eyes. "But what about you? You have your magic…"

Riku reaches up and taps his ear lobe. "Doubt I would without these. But it's gotten me out of a few scrapes already."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, for one thing, I don't go to your school."

"Of course not. They'd have told us about you."

"I've also had to use my powers to get into an inn. You would've gotten a laugh out of that. It took nearly an hour of watching people for me to figure it all out."

"A hotel? You don't have a house?"

Riku shrugged. "I woke up this morning in an alleyway with someone picking my pockets. Not my finest moment."

Towa sits up. "What?! Are you okay?"

"Don't I look okay?" Riku smirks at her.

Towa reaches out without thinking and touches his shoulder. "You should've told me! There are dangerous people in this time! Weapons are more dangerous here too!"

Riku's eyes remain focused on the hand on his shoulder before he drags his gaze back to hers. "So like you…" He says softly, leaving his thought unfinished.

Towa retracts her arm faster than she means to, her cheeks flushing. "W-Well…I'm glad…you have a place to stay then. I can help you figure out if you need to move around."

"I'll take you up on that…" Riku grins, the mischievous glint in his eye makes Towa's nose scrunch.

"I mean it Riku…you better not be lying to me."

"I would never-" He winces at her instant frown. "I mean…I'm not this time. I'm in just as much of a bind as you are remember?"

"If you put one foot out of line…"

"I know I know- Princess."

Towa crosses her arms over her chest and gets to her feet. "You're such a-"

Riku leans forward and grins up at her with his chin on his hand. "Such a?"

Before Towa can muster a response, the bedroom door handle starts to jiggle as Moroha's voice echoes on the other side. "TOWA!"

Towa grabs Riku's arms and shoves him off the bed towards the floor. He barely makes a sound as he hits the hardwood floor. "HIDE!" She whispers just as the door slams open.

"Towa! Dinner is ready! Uncle told me to come to get you-"

"O-Okay! Be there in a minute!"

Moroha squints at her. "Are you okay?"

"H-Huh?!"

"Your face is all red."

"I'm fine!" Towa pats her cheeks. "See?"

"Whatever- just hurry up so we can eat! And why haven't you changed?" She disappears, letting the door swing shut.

Towa sighs, glancing down at her unexpected guest. "Sorry- you probably could've used your-"

Riku is laying flat on his back, poorly propped up on his elbows. He stares at Towa's skirt for a moment longer before dragging his gaze back up to her. "It's so interesting."

"What?"

"You in a skirt. You look so different."

Towa gasps. This angle- he can probably see up my- "Y-You pervert!" She kicks him in the thigh.

"Ow!" He wheezes. "What was that for?"

"Y-You….you're so annoying." Toya puffs and starts to walk away. She hears Riku groan as he gets to his feet. He mumbles something along the lines of 'stupid demon strength'.

Towa grabs a sweater that's hanging in her closet and pulls it over her dress shirt. "You're…" Towa struggles to meet his gaze. "You're going to be here…when I get back?"

She turns slowly and looks back at Riku, paused in adjusting his clothing to gape at her. Stupid. Stupid. He's probably going to tease you about this forever now. Stupid-

"Of course." Riku closes the short distance between them and puts a hand on Towa's shoulder. "I'll be right here…al- w-when you get back."

Towa blinks at him, knowing full well she's red as a tomato. "G-good. I'll let you know if I hear anything…strange."

"Good luck." Riku reaches up to tap his earring. "Princess-"

Towa blinks in mild surprise as he disappears right in front of her. Her heart is pounding in her chest as she makes her way out of her room. Calm down Towa…everything will be fine…Riku is here to help.

If he isn't lying. Towa winces to herself. The memory of him taking her Rainbow Pearl flickers through her mind. He'd had such a way with his words back then, making his mistress sound like such a kind person. If there was any chance he was doing the same things to her all over again…

Towa shakes her head and composes herself. "No time for that now…I have work to do…"

She enters the massive dining room timidly, spotting only one empty chair for herself. The rest of her family is in their seats, with staff milling about to lay out their portions. "There you are-" Her father's attention falls on her. "Come sit."

"Yes-" Towa hesitates. "…sorry for being late."

"Setsuna was telling us about her music class-" Rin gives Towa a warm smile. She struggles to hold her mother's gaze. "How was your fencing class?"

"She showed em how it was done!" Moroha reaches over and shoves Towa's shoulder. "Didn't you?"

Towa laughs awkwardly. "I was actually a little nervous…but…it was fun."

"Wow, Setsuna- she has you beat." Moroha chuckles.

Towa meets her twin's gaze. "Was your class okay?"

Setsuna shrugs and gives her an 'I'll tell you later' look. Towa doesn't miss the flicker of concern on Hisui's face as he spares her a glance before meeting her eyes.

"Were the other kids nice to you?" Rin's voice is layered with naive optimism.

Moroha makes an unladylike sound. "If treating us like freaks is the American way-"

"Moroha-" Sesshomaru's voice is clipped. "Watch your tone."

"I didn't mean anything bad by that! They're just a little weird!"

"Go easy on her Dad-" Setsuna chimes in. "It's weird for kids to be new this late in their school year."

"Oh, that's right. American children start in the Fall don't they-"

"What do they do all summer?" Moroha perks up.

"They get a break-" Towa answers between bites of her meal.

"The whole time?!" Moroha gasps, nearly knocking over her soup.

"Were you even paying attention when we were moving?" Hisui scowls at her.

"Of course I was!" Moroha glares back, a challenge in her eyes.

"Easy." Towa kicks Moroha under the table. From the way Hisui jumps, it seems Setsuna did the same to him. "We're supposed to be eating." Towa doesn't miss the sharp nod of approval her father gives her.

This doesn't stop Moroha from launching into another story about one of the classes she had. Hisui and Setsuna entertain her, giving the parents a moment to themselves. Towa pretends to listen to Moroha, training her hearing to the other end of the long table.

"It's so nice we can eat together waiting for the others to arrive." Towa watches her mother as she smiles at Sesshomaru. "Wouldn't you agree dear?"

"I'm counting down the hours." Sesshomaru rests his temple on his fingers. "Not that her father will make things any better. They all argue like siblings."

Rin brushes off the comment. "Do you think Sango-kun will want to do another security detail with the school?"

"I think the boy's report was satisfactory enough. She should agree-unless there are any unexpected changes."

"It would also draw so much attention." Rin's gaze drifts back to the others.

"If that's what needs to be done-" They share a look. "The children will understand. And the boy already has enough to do pretending to be just another member of the family. It could get...distracting."

"You should be kinder to him Sesshomaru." Rin's voice lowers. "They're not doing anything wrong."

"You know that's not my problem." Sesshomaru's voice is so low Towa almost misses it.

Her mother's light laugh and her father's small eye-roll makes Towa's heart clench violently. Her eyes sting with the threat of tears as she processes what she's staring at all over again. She forces herself to focus on her meal before her parents can catch her staring. She isn't sure she'd even have the words to answer their questions.

How do I tell them all of this is wrong? Is it all a trick?

Towa enters her bedroom as she runs a towel over her hair. Setsuna is laying flat on her bed, her own wet hair wrapped up in a towel. "Finally-" Setsuna rolls onto her side. "You never take long showers."

Towa winces. She had gone so long without a hot shower from real plumbing – it was hard to resist. "I'm just a little sore from practice and didn't want to take a bath. Sorry."

"Ugh…I wish I could be in fencing with you." Setsuna huffs.

"Really? You hate fencing." Towa isn't sure how she knows that. "Music isn't fun?"

"I just prefer private lessons. You know that….and…"

"And?" Towa sits beside her as Setsuna sits up.

"That…one boy from our class was really talkative."

"Define talkative-"

"We got stuck in the same section – of course. He plays the cello. So I was forced to be right in front of him and he talked to me during every break."

"How unfortunate," Towa smirks.

"He talked so fast…it's like he didn't even realize I had to translate…" Setsuna gets a little flustered, pulling on the seam of her nightgown.

"You speak English fluently." Towa teases her. "What'd he do?"

"He invited me to a party…"

"A party?!" Towa exclaims. Setsuna slaps a hand over her mouth.

"Shhhhhh! I said no- because I'm not stupid. But…he was really persistent so I said I can't go anywhere without you and Hisui…and well…"

"Setsuna- Dad will never let us go to some random party! You don't have to worry about it."

Setsuna groaned. "But that's why I don't want to ask him! What if he says yes and arranges us to have security! That would be so embarrassing."

"It would be- so we say no! Unless…" Towa watches in surprise as Setsuna looks away. "Do you want to go?!" Towa gasps.

"We've never been to a party before." Setsuna bites her lip. "And if Hisui came with us we could…you know…"

"Who are you and what have you done with my sister?" Towa giggles.

"Don't mess around! I'm being serious…" Setsuna grips Towa's hand. "Will you think about it? I don't want to go without you – and Moroha if we can get away with that. Her parents will be here by then so maybe not."

"When's this party happening anyway?"

"…on Friday. I said I'd have to let him know in a few days."

"Well…I don't know Setsuna…"

"Just think about it?"

"I will." Towa smiles. "I will think about being your accomplice so you can make out with your secret boyfriend."

Setsuna slaps her shoulder. "Shut up! You're so embarrassing!"

"But not wrong!" Towa sticks out her tongue and laughs, waiting for Setsuna to deny her.

Setsuna only tucks her hands onto her lap, her cheeks turning red. "I…well it's really hard…for us to find ways to…you know…"

Towa's mouth falls open. "You've kissed?! I was kidding!" She keeps her voice below a whisper. "When?!"

Setsuna puts her face in her hands. "Only a few times."

"I'm your literal other half! You have to tell me these things!" Towa rustles the towel on her twin's head. "Was it good?!"

Setsuna looks up then, hiding her smile behind her hand as she catches the towel. She nods.

"SETSUNA!"

"SHHHH!" The twins fall over in a fit of giggles. Towa spots a remote sitting on her bedside table and grabs it.

"Come on- no more boy talk. Let's see what there is to watch."

They scroll aimlessly through the channels before settling on some reality show about people who get married after a few months. Towa tries her best to keep up and lets Setsuna explain what's going on. Setsuna eventually lets out a big yawn, making Towa laugh.

"What?!"

"Nothing…" Towa pushes her twin's shoulder. Looking up, Towa spots someone staring at them in the slightly open door. She meets eyes with her mother and freezes.

The look on Rin's face is that of panic. She looks horrified to see the twins beside each other.

"M-Mother-" Towa sits up. Her mother's face relaxes into an innocent smile.

"Hmm- yes?"

"Are you alright?" Towa blinks.

"Of course I am." Rin's head is turned by a voice down the hall- Sesshomaru. "Goodnight girls. Don't stay up too late!" This prompts Setsuna to sit up and stretch. "I should go fall asleep in my own room for once."

Towa feels her lip quivering as she finds the words. That look on her face…it was so….heartbreaking…

"Night-" Setsuna crosses the room. "See you tomorrow."

"G-Goodnight." Towa manages. She gasps softly as the door shuts behind her sister.

What the hell was that? Is she okay? Why did-

Towa pulls her knees to her chest, sniffling softly as the tears begin to spill on her cheeks. Her emotions are at war inside her, yanking between the reality of her situation and the dream she's stepped into. If her mother, even for a moment, was aware of what is happening – how did she snap back? Did it hurt her? Did she even know who we were?

Someone…someone help…someone has to be able to help…

"Towa-"

She isn't surprised this time to find Riku sitting in front of her. His school uniform has been replaced with a form-fitting black t-shirt and dark jeans. Towa wipes her eyes.

"How- How did you…"

He hesitates, visibly shaken by the state she's in. "I-"

"It's you isn't it." It's not a question. Towa rests her chin on her knees. "You were that voice." He doesn't answer. Towa looks up at him. "Why is this happening to us?"

"I don't mean to upset you…but I don't know. I mean that Towa."

"Can you hear my thoughts or something?"

"No…I just…feel your presence. I can read your emotions…mostly. There are some moments when I can tell what you're about to say but…that's it."

"So you could feel…this…" More tears drip onto Towa's cheeks.

"Yes." Riku reaches out, the back of his hand brushing across her cheek to wipe the tears. "I did…"

"You must think I'm weak." Towa tore her eyes from his, staring at her blank wall. "So much for being the tough demon princess huh? Can't even make it through my own false reality…"

"I don't think you're weak Towa."

She tucks her head against her knees, refusing to meet his eyes as she stares into space. His words strike something inside her that makes her blush even harder. He's that boy again.

"Where did you go….earlier…while I was at dinner?" Towa flicks her gaze to him, not surprised to find him staring down at her.

"I wandered around this city. There's definitely a lot to see in your world."

"Were you looking for anything in particular?"

"I was hoping to find some source of magic…that could be a portal to the other world. Like your shrine back in Japan-"

"Mhmm…" Towa nods. "And nothing?"

"Not yet. I can't say I was entirely focused either…this world is…" He looks away from her to stare out the window. The lights of the city glitter back at them through the dark glass. "…I can't say I've ever witnessed anything like it." He turns back to her then, his eyes glittering with something Towa can't quite place.

Of course, he's fascinated by this world. The feudal era had magic and demons but really…there wasn't much to see. I wonder if he'd like it here… Towa blinks suddenly. Such a dangerous thought to cross her mind so suddenly.

Towa feigns a yawn. "Well…I guess I should be resting…" She climbs out of her bed and pads over to the light switch. "You…" She swallows. "…you're really staying in a hotel?"

Riku eyes her curiously and nods. "I put a spell on a room at the back of a high floor. No one should be able to disturb me if I'm there."

"But…does that bother you?"

"Being alone?" He smirks.

"No-" Towa huffs. "I mean the magic…does that…does that hurt you to keep that up?"

"I barely feel it." Riku taps his forehead.

Towa's brow wrinkles as she thinks of what to say next. "Well…if it ever starts to bother you…you can always hide here if you needed it." The words feel heavy as they roll off her tongue.

"Oh?" He quirks an eyebrow at her.

Towa rolls her eyes. "Don't be annoying."

"I wouldn't dream of it." He smirks at her.

Towa can feel her cheeks warming as she reaches for the light. She eyes Riku as he remains in a comfortable sitting position in the middle of her bed. "Well…"

"Well, what?"

"I need to go to sleep! Some of us have fake school in the morning."

With a light laugh, Riku flicks his earring and disappears. Towa lets out the breath she was holding just as a strange sensation whips through her. She can feel it, the magic flowing between them, as Riku's voice echoes through her.

Sweet dreams…Lady Towa.

"You're stupid." She says to the empty room as she flicks off the light and shrouds herself in darkness. She's not entirely sure if she meant that for him or herself.

Got a little angsty there for a second! I was going all over the place with this chapter - which was initially going to have Inuyasha/Kagome's (and co) return. I decided to shave it down just a tad. I want this to be a mystery but I also want it to be light and fun. Some general canon notes:

- Riku knows how Towa came and went from the feudal era in the assumption that the shrine portal was common knowledge. That's not some kind of Easter egg. His magic is so all over the place so I'm going to let that be in this story too.

- Setsuna. is starting to get a little ooc but I also want to explore a side of her that may have existed if things had been different for her. She's a sweetie! She deserves to be a regular teen!

Let me know what you think! Any kind of feedback or theorizing is super welcome! Thank you for reading!