Disclaimer: Blah, blah, blah, you know the drill. I don't own Inu-Yasha.
(Poo!)
***
Ch. 2 New Friends
The two stood there for a long moment, just staring at each other. Finally, the boy crouched on his rock, ready to pounce.
"Give me one reason not to rip you apart." he said though clenched teeth. Nanashi stood almost immediately, throwing her arms in front of her and swinging them franticly.
"Let's not be too hasty now. At least tell me what I did wrong." She back up slowly as she studied the boy more closely. He didn't look all that strong, but the claws on his hands seemed deadly.
"This is a sacred place. None may enter but me. You may not be youkai, but you must be punished for your crime." at that he pounced. In an instant he had Nanashi pinned against a tree. Nanashi fought as hard as she could to get free, but her efforts were futile.
The boy's hands grasped her neck tightly. It was becoming increasingly hard to breath. The boy placed one clawed hand against her neck, ready to use it to slit her throat.
"Ashitaka! I'd think you'd know better." said a young woman from across the clearing. The boy released his grip on Nanashi's throat and backed away. "You're suppose to kill the youkai that invade this forest, not humans. Besides, can't you see that this girl is from beyond the well?" the woman walked over to the boy and grabbed one of his dog-like ears.
"I am terribly sorry for Ashitaka's rudeness. Please, stay with us the night. You will be our guest." she turned to another trail and began to leave. Then she paused, looking over her shoulder at Nanashi, the dog boy's ear still in hand. Rubbing the red mark that now hung around her throat; she began to follow the strange duo.
***
The three of them walked along a trial more trodden than the one Nanashi had come down earlier. Finally, the woman let go of the boy's ear and the two walked side by side, Nanashi following close behind.
After a good 15 minuets of walking, the group came to a small village. It was quaint and homey. Nanashi wouldn't really mind if she stayed here. They walked into the center of the village and entered a small hut.
"You look awfully dreadful. What happened to you? Ashitatka wouldn't have given you those bruises." the woman said. The woman picked up a small pot at the corner of the small room. She sat Nanashi down and began to clean the bruises on her face with the contents of the pot.
"It's nothing, really. Um. could you tell me exactly where I am?
"You're from beyond the well, correct? I mean you came here through the well, right?"
"Uh. I think so." Nanashi said, tilting her head. She was starting to get confused. Was this woman saying others had been through the well too? Oh well.
"Well then, you are now in the feudal era of Japan. Yes, that's what I said. You've traveled through a portal that was hidden in the bone-eater's well 500 years into the past." O.k.. Nanashi was now extremely confused. How was she suppose to respond to that? She just sat there, trying to comprehend the thought of time travel.
"Shippou and the others should be back any time now. I know for a fact they'll all have a million questions for you." The lady put down the pot and walked over to a cabinet on the other side of the small room. From the top shelf she pulled a white and red bundle. "Here. Put this on. You'll be more comfortable."
***
It wasn't very long before Nanashi heard someone coming from the forest. It wasn't like the villagers, though. It was the sound of the slow progress of an injured person, and yet the air was full of laughter.
Nanashi stepped out of the small hut to look up the road to see who was coming. The woman, Kikyo, had left her alone in the hut while she went to tend to an ill child. She was anxious to meet the others that Kikyo had spoken about. She also wished to be properly introduced to the dog-boy, Ashitaka. He had disappeared shortly after they had arrived in the village.
What she saw when she gazed up to the road coming from the forest, she not only saw someone new but also the dog-boy coming down into the village. Then she saw the trail of red splooches the two of them were leaving.
Being the good natured person that she was, Nanashi made a mad dash towards them. Sadly, the clothes she was wearing weren't made for running, and being the klutz she was, tripped several times on the way.
"Are you alright?!" she said when she reached them. Out of nowhere the boy who was carrying Ashitaka dropped him then and there and took Nanashi's hands in his.
"Konichiwa! I am called Shippou. It is a great honor to make your acquaintance! By what name shall I call a lady like yourself?" Just as Nanashi was about to give her name, the dog-boy was standing and pounding the polite guy.
"Hey! Quit it, Ashitaka! Stop!" Nanashi tried desperately to pry Ashitaka from the other boy but to no avail. She had no choice but to sit back and let the fight take its course.
The argument started out with Ashitaka getting mad because Shippou had dropped him and then it somehow turned to Shippou wanting to know why he wasn't introduced to this lovely lady to begin with. In a way Nanashi felt flattered, but it was still kind of weird.
"Boys! You know better than to fight in the middle of the street! My heavens!" a voice screamed from behind them. Nanashi recognized the voice at once. It was Kikyo.
"We're sorry Kikyo-sama." The two boys said in unison.
It was very silent on the way back to the hut. Ashitaka looked to be badly injured but seemed to be coping quite well. Both boys sulked all the way back. When they reached the hut Kikyo spoke again.
"Nanashi, could you assist me in bandaging Ashitaka's wounds? Shippou needs a rest. Would you mind? I know you're our guest but." she said, motioning Ashitaka into the small structure.
"Sure." she said simply. Nanashi followed all three into the hut.
Nanashi sat next to Ashitaka and Kikyo. Kikyo handed her some white bandages and a foul smelling slave. She took them with confidence and began slaving Ashitaka's gashed left arm. With her gentle hands she rubbed the slave into the wound as Kikyo was doing to a large cut on his foot.
Ashitaka flinched rarely. His vision was turned mainly away from her and Nanashi could see a hint of redness in his face. Nanashi blushed too, and finished Ashitaka's arm with a smile on her face.
***
That night, Nanashi started to think about how Kagome was. She didn't know where Nanashi was and was probably really worried.
Nanashi stepped out side the hut and stared off into the night sky. There were so many stars. Back home you would never see so many. Before she knew it, Nanashi was slowly walking toward the forest. Before she knew it, she was back at the well. She stared into the darkness that was her only way home.
"You should go back. Everyone who has come from that time has caused nothing but pain. This world doesn't need any more suffering." Ashitaka was at the edge of the clearing, leaning against a tree.
"Then why do you protect it so well?" she said, turning towards him. Nanashi could see the sadness in his eyes as he turned away from her. "You lost someone important to you." She put her hand on Ashitaka's shoulder. He didn't snap like she thought, though.
"When my mother left through that well, my father couldn't get through to her. He left to find another portal thirteen years ago, and I've been alone ever since."
"You may think I'm crazy, but even though we've just met, I think of you as a friend, the first in fact. I'm not going to leave you. Unless, of course, you want me to leave." Ashitaka broke free from Nanashi's grip on his shoulder and disappeared into the night. Nanashi was again alone with her thoughts.
***
The sun shone in through the window of the small hut. Blinking, Nanashi awoke to the light and to sounds of laughter. She looked up to the source of the light to see that not only was the sun up, but also that she was being watched. Three children were peeking through the window, watching her sleep. Now that they saw her looking at them, their heads disappeared from the window frame.
Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, Nanashi breathed in the fresh air. This was the life. She could really get use to this. Nanashi stood at the sound of the mat door of the hut opening.
The three children from the window paraded into the hut with plates of rice and fish in their arms. It all smelled so good. After the children came Kikyo.
"Good morning." she said. "Did you have a nice rest? Please, sit down." The children sat the plates down in front of Nanashi's futon. All three rushed to hide behind the tall woman. Nanashi sat back on the futon, just staring at the marvelous smelling food.
"Dig in. It's all for you. Can you eat it all? I've had to feed Ashitaka too long, I don't know how much normal people eat any more."
At that Nanashi dug in. She scarfed all six plates in three min., almost choking twice. When she was finished, Nanashi sat back on her elbows and burped.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Excuse me. Thank you very much for the wonderful meal." Nanashi stood and bowed to Kikyo and the children. "It was our pleasure!" Kikyo bowed back and the kids ran outside. "I need to go and tend to a friend who has fallen ill. Do you mind staying here awhile? Ashitaka and Shippou should be back for lunch soon." Nanashi cut her off.
"Could I go with you. I might be of some help." Kikyo gave her an odd look and after a long moment, motioned her to follow.
They walked though the village slowly. All of the villagers were staring at Nanashi as she walked passed. She hurried along beside Kikyo.
Finally, after a long, awkward walk, the two of them came to a rather small house at the other side of the village. The two women entered the house and were greeted by a young man.
"So good of you to finally come, my lady. Is this you apprentice? I don't believe we've met." Now that the man had come closer, Nanashi could see that he wasn't as young as she thought. The man took up Nanashi's hands in his and shook them vigorously.
"It's been awhile, Miroku. How is Sango doing today?" The three of them entered a separate even smaller room where a young lady lay on an oversized futon. Kikyo sat down beside the woman and began to bring out some herbs and a small grinding bowl.
"Could you grind this up while I get some water boiling?"
"Sure." Nanashi took the bowl and herbs from the lady and got to work. As she worked, one question tugged at her mind.
"Was Ashitaka's mother from my time?" Nanashi saw the look on Kikyo's face and instantly regretted asking. A long awkward moment past.
"Yes, she was. Do you want to here the whole story?" Nanashi stared on in astonishment.
"Yes, I would. I mean, if it's o.k."
"This is the condensed version. It all began about 75 years ago. Inu- Yasha, Ashitaka's father, and I were tricked into killing each other by an evil youkai called Naraku. I put Inu-Yasha to sleep for 50 years while I died. My soul longed for revenge and wouldn't rest until Inu-Yasha was dragged down to heck with me.
"After 50 years, she came through the well and resurrected Inu-Yasha. The pair joined forces to collect the shards of the Shikon jewel. Later they learned about Naraku. I had been resurrected by an orgess and was still trying to destroy Inu-Yasha. It turns out that she was also my reincarnation and so possessed my miko powers.
"When they had collected all of the shards, about 19 years ago, the final battle with Naraku took place. In the battle she was mortally wounded and had to be taken back to her time, leaving Inu-Yasha and the young Ashitaka all alone. Many times we've tried to get though the well to her, but to no avail. Inu-Yasha left about 10 years ago to search for another way to that world. We haven't heard from him since." There was a long pause.
"I had no idea." Nanashi whispered.
"Her name was Kagome Higurashi. You wouldn't happen to know what happened to her. All of us here miss her greatly."
At that name Nanashi jumped. Kagome was her foster mother. She couldn't believe that Kagome-sama was Ashitaka's mother. The same Kagome-sama who had taken her in and raised her was the same Kagome who had fought youkai four hundred years in the past. For a moment, all Nanashi could do was try to comprehend what she had been told.
***
Why hasn't Kagome come back? What's Nanashi going to do now? Please R+R!
***
Ch. 2 New Friends
The two stood there for a long moment, just staring at each other. Finally, the boy crouched on his rock, ready to pounce.
"Give me one reason not to rip you apart." he said though clenched teeth. Nanashi stood almost immediately, throwing her arms in front of her and swinging them franticly.
"Let's not be too hasty now. At least tell me what I did wrong." She back up slowly as she studied the boy more closely. He didn't look all that strong, but the claws on his hands seemed deadly.
"This is a sacred place. None may enter but me. You may not be youkai, but you must be punished for your crime." at that he pounced. In an instant he had Nanashi pinned against a tree. Nanashi fought as hard as she could to get free, but her efforts were futile.
The boy's hands grasped her neck tightly. It was becoming increasingly hard to breath. The boy placed one clawed hand against her neck, ready to use it to slit her throat.
"Ashitaka! I'd think you'd know better." said a young woman from across the clearing. The boy released his grip on Nanashi's throat and backed away. "You're suppose to kill the youkai that invade this forest, not humans. Besides, can't you see that this girl is from beyond the well?" the woman walked over to the boy and grabbed one of his dog-like ears.
"I am terribly sorry for Ashitaka's rudeness. Please, stay with us the night. You will be our guest." she turned to another trail and began to leave. Then she paused, looking over her shoulder at Nanashi, the dog boy's ear still in hand. Rubbing the red mark that now hung around her throat; she began to follow the strange duo.
***
The three of them walked along a trial more trodden than the one Nanashi had come down earlier. Finally, the woman let go of the boy's ear and the two walked side by side, Nanashi following close behind.
After a good 15 minuets of walking, the group came to a small village. It was quaint and homey. Nanashi wouldn't really mind if she stayed here. They walked into the center of the village and entered a small hut.
"You look awfully dreadful. What happened to you? Ashitatka wouldn't have given you those bruises." the woman said. The woman picked up a small pot at the corner of the small room. She sat Nanashi down and began to clean the bruises on her face with the contents of the pot.
"It's nothing, really. Um. could you tell me exactly where I am?
"You're from beyond the well, correct? I mean you came here through the well, right?"
"Uh. I think so." Nanashi said, tilting her head. She was starting to get confused. Was this woman saying others had been through the well too? Oh well.
"Well then, you are now in the feudal era of Japan. Yes, that's what I said. You've traveled through a portal that was hidden in the bone-eater's well 500 years into the past." O.k.. Nanashi was now extremely confused. How was she suppose to respond to that? She just sat there, trying to comprehend the thought of time travel.
"Shippou and the others should be back any time now. I know for a fact they'll all have a million questions for you." The lady put down the pot and walked over to a cabinet on the other side of the small room. From the top shelf she pulled a white and red bundle. "Here. Put this on. You'll be more comfortable."
***
It wasn't very long before Nanashi heard someone coming from the forest. It wasn't like the villagers, though. It was the sound of the slow progress of an injured person, and yet the air was full of laughter.
Nanashi stepped out of the small hut to look up the road to see who was coming. The woman, Kikyo, had left her alone in the hut while she went to tend to an ill child. She was anxious to meet the others that Kikyo had spoken about. She also wished to be properly introduced to the dog-boy, Ashitaka. He had disappeared shortly after they had arrived in the village.
What she saw when she gazed up to the road coming from the forest, she not only saw someone new but also the dog-boy coming down into the village. Then she saw the trail of red splooches the two of them were leaving.
Being the good natured person that she was, Nanashi made a mad dash towards them. Sadly, the clothes she was wearing weren't made for running, and being the klutz she was, tripped several times on the way.
"Are you alright?!" she said when she reached them. Out of nowhere the boy who was carrying Ashitaka dropped him then and there and took Nanashi's hands in his.
"Konichiwa! I am called Shippou. It is a great honor to make your acquaintance! By what name shall I call a lady like yourself?" Just as Nanashi was about to give her name, the dog-boy was standing and pounding the polite guy.
"Hey! Quit it, Ashitaka! Stop!" Nanashi tried desperately to pry Ashitaka from the other boy but to no avail. She had no choice but to sit back and let the fight take its course.
The argument started out with Ashitaka getting mad because Shippou had dropped him and then it somehow turned to Shippou wanting to know why he wasn't introduced to this lovely lady to begin with. In a way Nanashi felt flattered, but it was still kind of weird.
"Boys! You know better than to fight in the middle of the street! My heavens!" a voice screamed from behind them. Nanashi recognized the voice at once. It was Kikyo.
"We're sorry Kikyo-sama." The two boys said in unison.
It was very silent on the way back to the hut. Ashitaka looked to be badly injured but seemed to be coping quite well. Both boys sulked all the way back. When they reached the hut Kikyo spoke again.
"Nanashi, could you assist me in bandaging Ashitaka's wounds? Shippou needs a rest. Would you mind? I know you're our guest but." she said, motioning Ashitaka into the small structure.
"Sure." she said simply. Nanashi followed all three into the hut.
Nanashi sat next to Ashitaka and Kikyo. Kikyo handed her some white bandages and a foul smelling slave. She took them with confidence and began slaving Ashitaka's gashed left arm. With her gentle hands she rubbed the slave into the wound as Kikyo was doing to a large cut on his foot.
Ashitaka flinched rarely. His vision was turned mainly away from her and Nanashi could see a hint of redness in his face. Nanashi blushed too, and finished Ashitaka's arm with a smile on her face.
***
That night, Nanashi started to think about how Kagome was. She didn't know where Nanashi was and was probably really worried.
Nanashi stepped out side the hut and stared off into the night sky. There were so many stars. Back home you would never see so many. Before she knew it, Nanashi was slowly walking toward the forest. Before she knew it, she was back at the well. She stared into the darkness that was her only way home.
"You should go back. Everyone who has come from that time has caused nothing but pain. This world doesn't need any more suffering." Ashitaka was at the edge of the clearing, leaning against a tree.
"Then why do you protect it so well?" she said, turning towards him. Nanashi could see the sadness in his eyes as he turned away from her. "You lost someone important to you." She put her hand on Ashitaka's shoulder. He didn't snap like she thought, though.
"When my mother left through that well, my father couldn't get through to her. He left to find another portal thirteen years ago, and I've been alone ever since."
"You may think I'm crazy, but even though we've just met, I think of you as a friend, the first in fact. I'm not going to leave you. Unless, of course, you want me to leave." Ashitaka broke free from Nanashi's grip on his shoulder and disappeared into the night. Nanashi was again alone with her thoughts.
***
The sun shone in through the window of the small hut. Blinking, Nanashi awoke to the light and to sounds of laughter. She looked up to the source of the light to see that not only was the sun up, but also that she was being watched. Three children were peeking through the window, watching her sleep. Now that they saw her looking at them, their heads disappeared from the window frame.
Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, Nanashi breathed in the fresh air. This was the life. She could really get use to this. Nanashi stood at the sound of the mat door of the hut opening.
The three children from the window paraded into the hut with plates of rice and fish in their arms. It all smelled so good. After the children came Kikyo.
"Good morning." she said. "Did you have a nice rest? Please, sit down." The children sat the plates down in front of Nanashi's futon. All three rushed to hide behind the tall woman. Nanashi sat back on the futon, just staring at the marvelous smelling food.
"Dig in. It's all for you. Can you eat it all? I've had to feed Ashitaka too long, I don't know how much normal people eat any more."
At that Nanashi dug in. She scarfed all six plates in three min., almost choking twice. When she was finished, Nanashi sat back on her elbows and burped.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Excuse me. Thank you very much for the wonderful meal." Nanashi stood and bowed to Kikyo and the children. "It was our pleasure!" Kikyo bowed back and the kids ran outside. "I need to go and tend to a friend who has fallen ill. Do you mind staying here awhile? Ashitaka and Shippou should be back for lunch soon." Nanashi cut her off.
"Could I go with you. I might be of some help." Kikyo gave her an odd look and after a long moment, motioned her to follow.
They walked though the village slowly. All of the villagers were staring at Nanashi as she walked passed. She hurried along beside Kikyo.
Finally, after a long, awkward walk, the two of them came to a rather small house at the other side of the village. The two women entered the house and were greeted by a young man.
"So good of you to finally come, my lady. Is this you apprentice? I don't believe we've met." Now that the man had come closer, Nanashi could see that he wasn't as young as she thought. The man took up Nanashi's hands in his and shook them vigorously.
"It's been awhile, Miroku. How is Sango doing today?" The three of them entered a separate even smaller room where a young lady lay on an oversized futon. Kikyo sat down beside the woman and began to bring out some herbs and a small grinding bowl.
"Could you grind this up while I get some water boiling?"
"Sure." Nanashi took the bowl and herbs from the lady and got to work. As she worked, one question tugged at her mind.
"Was Ashitaka's mother from my time?" Nanashi saw the look on Kikyo's face and instantly regretted asking. A long awkward moment past.
"Yes, she was. Do you want to here the whole story?" Nanashi stared on in astonishment.
"Yes, I would. I mean, if it's o.k."
"This is the condensed version. It all began about 75 years ago. Inu- Yasha, Ashitaka's father, and I were tricked into killing each other by an evil youkai called Naraku. I put Inu-Yasha to sleep for 50 years while I died. My soul longed for revenge and wouldn't rest until Inu-Yasha was dragged down to heck with me.
"After 50 years, she came through the well and resurrected Inu-Yasha. The pair joined forces to collect the shards of the Shikon jewel. Later they learned about Naraku. I had been resurrected by an orgess and was still trying to destroy Inu-Yasha. It turns out that she was also my reincarnation and so possessed my miko powers.
"When they had collected all of the shards, about 19 years ago, the final battle with Naraku took place. In the battle she was mortally wounded and had to be taken back to her time, leaving Inu-Yasha and the young Ashitaka all alone. Many times we've tried to get though the well to her, but to no avail. Inu-Yasha left about 10 years ago to search for another way to that world. We haven't heard from him since." There was a long pause.
"I had no idea." Nanashi whispered.
"Her name was Kagome Higurashi. You wouldn't happen to know what happened to her. All of us here miss her greatly."
At that name Nanashi jumped. Kagome was her foster mother. She couldn't believe that Kagome-sama was Ashitaka's mother. The same Kagome-sama who had taken her in and raised her was the same Kagome who had fought youkai four hundred years in the past. For a moment, all Nanashi could do was try to comprehend what she had been told.
***
Why hasn't Kagome come back? What's Nanashi going to do now? Please R+R!