Suki gasped in response to her pounding headache.
"Look, look, it's waking up!"
"Go wait over there, behind those trees. Take care of her."
Suki shook. Inuyasha? What's going on? She managed to force her eyes open. The first thing she saw was the sun, now in its afternoon decline. But it was morning! Suddenly, she stared into a pair golden eyes, framed by beautiful white hair.
"How nice," she heard him say. "How very sweet..."
"Inuyasha! Stop!" Suki's eyes widened in fear.
"Inuyasha?!" The man chuckled. "How can you possibly mistake me for that halfbreed brother of mine?"
"Brother?" She focused her eyes on him, and beheld a beautiful man, standing tall above her. But he is not a man at all! "You... You are the one he calls Sesshoumaru?" She noticed a giant ball of fluff on his shoulder. She remembered seeing such a man in Inuyasha's thoughts, before coming to Earth. But it was Inuyasha I sensed... Could they be so much alike apart from their human blood...? My carelessness has gotten me into trouble now...
"You have a scent of the holy. Who are you?" Sesshoumaru stared at her.
She saw a great deal of malice in his eyes. "I... I am an angel... Descended to Earth." Maybe he'll be scared off by that, and let me go.
She's terrified. I can tell.Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes. "Angel?!" However, there's something else there too. I smell human... She's not an angel, she's a halfling! Still, I cannot let her walk the Earth. Anything holy could be a threat. "In that case, I cannot allow you to live. But, before I kill you, come into the light, so I can see the legendary beauty of an angel while it lives. It is a rare opportunity after all." I'll force the truth out of her. No one lies to Sesshoumaru!
So much for that... She tried to stifle a scream as she felt herself being forced to stand. But it wasn't by Sesshoumaru's hands, as he had backed away. Magic... He's controlling my body! She stood in the shadows, wanting to collapse again, and sleep. I hate this body... Not only is it heavy... But it's so sensitive to pain. Suki slowly stepped forth out of the shade.
Sesshoumaru looked her up and down, and finally let his cold gaze settle on her face. "You? An angel? You look like one of those humans from the west!"
She found that she was standing uncomfortably close to him. "But... I am only... Half angel." She took a step back, but he caught her wrist.
Sesshoumaru smiled. "I didn't need you to tell me that. You reek of human." A lovely human nonetheless... He grimaced. I must kill her quickly! Beauty is only skin deep... He smiled a little, remembering all of the times people had said that, referring to him. "Let's get this over with. I'm eager to have you dead."
"What?"
"Do you have any idea who I really am? Girl, I am taiyoukai of these lands. You are on my territory, and I myself am going to remove you. I'm challenging you, tennyo."
"You want to... Fight me?!"
"I wouldn't get any satisfaction out of merely slaughtering you."
"Are you going to eat me?" She had heard of demons who feasted on the flesh of humans, and the flesh of a half angel couldn't be much different.
"I don't eat human bodies. I imagine they taste terrible. Maybe I'll preserve your body and display you as a trophy. I must admit, I'd enjoy looking at you a lot more if I didn't have to bear your stench."
He's as bad as Inuyasha! "But... I didn't come to fight. I didn't seek you out!"
He frowned. Is that the truth? But that hardly matters... How many humans have I killed in cold blood, simply because they were in my way? But why in all the hells would the heavens send a halfling here? He thought a minute more. She certainly has not been on Earth before. I would have either smelled her, or heard of it. So there is no chance that she was born here. Whatever owns her, what does he want? He finally looked at Suki again.
She shivered.
"Do you value your mortal body, angel? Is that it?"
"I..." She found herself unable to answer him.
"Well, it is too bad then... You're about to lose it. Defend yourself, if you can!"
Suki watched, eyes wide in horror, imagining how the sword that he was reaching for would slice through her and damage all of her internal organs, and the blood would squirt from her arteries as long as her heart still beat, and how her spinal cord would be sliced in half and then she too would see the light...
"No! Lord Sesshoumaru, no!"
Sesshoumaru would have known that voice anywhere. "Rin." He looked down and saw the little girl, her arms thrown around Suki's legs. He shot an angry look over into the brush. "I thought I told you to keep her over there, Jaken!"
"Aye, m'lord... But... I could not stop her!"
He sighed. "Rin, what are you doing? Are you trying to get killed too?"
"No Lord Sesshoumaru... Angels aren't bad."
Suki wanted to look down and see what had wrapped itself around her. But she was too afraid to move.
"Don't make her disappear, Lord Sesshoumaru. Please? Maybe she can stay with Rin?"
Of course... Humans believe angels to be benevolent forces of good. I only know that they have no tolerance for demons. "Tell me, tennyo... What is your name?"
"...Suki."
"Suki. Beloved. That isn't a very fitting name for a angel... I am curious as to why you have a name of this land. Your hair is yellow and your eyes are round. Your human parent was clearly not from Nippon. Is Suki your only name?"
"Can she stay with Rin Lord Sesshoumaru?"
"Hush, Rin. Go back to Jaken."
Rin obediently unwound herself from Suki, and walked back into the shadows.
Sesshoumaru turned back to Suki. "Well?" If I'm going to kill her, I cannot do it around Rin.
"It's all anybody's ever called me."
"I have travelled to the west, and seen others that look like you. I want to give you one of their names."
Rin and Jaken stood there, watching, Jaken whispering to her.
"Just watch, lass, as Lord Sesshoumaru slashes that horrible creature to ribbons!"
Rin looked hopeful. "No."
"Stupid girl. She will die."
"...What do you mean?" Suki finally was able to answer Sesshoumaru.
"I mean that I'm going to give you a new name." He looked down into her eyes, grabbing her shoulders. Touching her still disgusted him, but it would all pay off in the long run. He did love the look of the face of a terrified woman, and the fact that she was of holy blood made it even better.
Suki tried to ignore his talons, which had torn through her clothes, and were about to do the same to her skin.
"I will name you Sidra."
"Star born," she whispered.
"Angels are celestial creatures."
"...There's another reason you chose that name."
Must I barrier my mind from her too? "I visited the west once, while searching for the grave of my father. A girl mistook me for a human, and made the mistake of trying to approach me."
"What did you do to her?"
"I killed her."
"...And her name was Sidra."
"I did rather like that name."
"It's pretty..." She lowered her head, her white face tinged with pink. She couldn't help but sense that there was more to the story than that, but she was unable to see any further. Her mind was barred from his.
Sesshoumaru was enjoying the mental torture he knew he was inflicting on her. "What are you doing here, Sidra? Surely your kind do not come here without purpose."
"I cannot tell you that."
How amusing this is! I could like this. He suddenly was stricken with an idea. If I were to humor Rin... And take her with me... The healing powers of something holy could be useful. And think of the humiliation she would suffer... Working for a demon. And I have nothing to fear from her power, she's only a little thing. If she would rebel, it would be nothing to kill her.
She tried to read his mind again, but all she could find was something that would seem like static, if she knew what static was. He can't be thinking anything good... No! I won't let him control me! "I must go back to Inuyasha." Suki summoned up the courage to step away.
"You will not."
"What?"
"You're not going back to Inuyasha. Rin wants you to come with us."
Her eyes widened in terror, her mind screaming for him to obey him, his each and every word...
"I've decided to let you live for now. After all, you did not answer my question. Rin, Jaken, come here."
Rin and Jaken were at Sesshoumaru's side in an instant.
"Lord Sesshoumaru, what can you be thinking?! You're a taiyoukai, and she's a"-
Sesshoumaru kicked Jaken to the side. "Say hello to Rin. It is to her that you owe your life."
Suki, cheering up a bit at the sight of a little child, fell to one knee. "Hello, Rin."
Rin was overjoyed. She would have her very own angel that would love her and watch over her. "Hello white lady! You're going to come with Rin and Lord Sesshoumaru?"
"This is Sidra, Rin. And yes, she is coming with us."
Rin grinned. "Now we can play together! I know lots of games! Did you really come here to watch over me?"
"Rin, quiet for now. Come along, Sidra." He grabbed her wrist, letting his talons prick her this time. "But remember... Any attempts to escape will be fatal."
She couldn't help noticing that his hand was cold.
"Hey Sesshoumaru!"
"Inuyasha?" Suki turned her head. "Inuyasha!"
"Let go of my angel! I found her first!" Inuyasha glowered, Kagome and the others standing behind him.
Kagome smiled a little. Silly Miroku... It took him all of that time just to deduct that one of her arrows would banish the barrier?
Sesshoumaru shook his head in disgust. "Must you seek your death tonight, Inuyasha?"
"Suki, use some of your magic or something!" Inuyasha was lusting for Sesshoumaru's blood himself, but he was curious as to what an angel could do to a demon.
"I... Can't."
"Why the hell not?!"
She looked down. "I just can't. I can't... Hurt him." And I can't use battle magic either... But... I can't let them know that!
Inuyasha slapped his forehead. "You and your holy emotional trash... He's evil Suki! He wants to hurt you!"
Sesshoumaru looked down at Rin. "You and Sidra hide."
"Sidra!? Her name is Suki, idiot!"
Rin grabbed Suki. "Come on Sidra! We can have fun while Lord Sesshoumaru is busy!"
Suki, not being able to stand the idea of hurting the little girl's feelings by immediately running back to Inuyasha, followed Rin.
"I gave her a new name. She doesn't seem to mind."
"What the hell have you been doing with her?!"
"Why does that matter? Out of my way, Inuyasha." Sesshoumaru turned his back, as if to walk away.. "I have no time for you."
"You had time for me before, when you sought to kill me! Why not now!? I sure as hell have the time... I'm going to take back my angel!"
Sesshoumaru sighed, and shook his head. "I can see why you would want it, Inuyasha. You're so slow. Holy aid would help you, wouldn't it? What does it do, give you magic to make you faster? Articulate movement? Does she give you some actual skill? That's disgraceful, however Inuyasha, especially seeing as how you want to become a full demon." He smiled slightly. "Pathetic."
"I don't need her to kill you, Sesshoumaru..." Inuyasha seethed. "I have some honor, unlike you!" Inuyasha, teeth clenched, charged at his brother, drawing the Tetsusaiga.
Kagome, prepared an arrow to disable Sesshoumaru with. We can't risk Suki...
"Will we be fighting too, Kagome?"
Kagome nodded to Sango. "Inuyasha doesn't like us to help when Sesshoumaru's concerned, but there's more lives than Inuyasha's at stake this time."
"Then stand back Kagome...!" Sango threw the Hiraikotsu at Sesshoumaru. Please hit...
Miroku watched with anticipation as the giant boomerang flew through the air towards Sesshoumaru. For just a moment, it seemed that it would hit.
Inuyasha turned his head to glare at Sango.
Sesshoumaru drew the Toukijin and intercepted the Hiraikotsu's flight with one swing of his sword. He paid it no more attention then, and turned back to Inuyasha.
"Now stay out of it Sango!" Inuyasha swung his sword, and the usual blinding light emerged from the fang as it transformed.
Sesshoumaru smiled slightly. "If you insist, Inuyasha!"
Inuyasha ran at Sesshoumaru, swinging the sword at his middle.
It didn't take much effort for Sesshoumaru to block with Toukijin.
Inuyasha kept pushing, however. "You tricked her!"
"Trick her? I did nothing of the sort." He finally won out, and Inuyasha jumped back a few feet away.
"She disturbed me... So I captured her. That is all."
"Inuyasha, he has the shard!" Kagome shouted. "It's in his shoe!"
"You did trick her!" Inuyasha swung again, trying to sniff out the wound of the wind. If he'd just stay still for a few fucking seconds...!
Suki, turning back and forth to Rin and the battle between the two brothers, was getting a headache. Sesshoumaru's the stronger warrior... It's so apparent, it's distressing... But I can't let Inuyasha be killed! What can I do...?
"You're gonna come with us, aren't you?"
"Rin... I..." Suki bit her lip.
"Don't think Lord Sesshoumaru's bad. Lord Sesshoumaru saved Rin. Rin died and Lord Sesshoumaru saved Rin."
"Sesshoumaru... Saved you? You died? But... No, you can't have died." Unless the master Itself willed it that she lived, but why would this little girl be so important?
"But I did! Lord Sesshoumaru told me I did. I remember seeing a great white light, but then Rin woke up. And Lord Sesshoumaru was there."
Has that demon somehow found a way to defy death? I never should have come here! "What about your real parents?"
"They died. Lord Sesshoumaru said he couldn't bring them back. But he takes care of me. Maybe he wants you to help take care of me! I don't like old Jaken, he's mean..."
Jaken sniffed, but didn't say anything. He didn't want to bring some kind of curse upon himself by having anything to do with Suki. I hate that thing... Why won't Sesshoumaru just kill it!?
Suki looked sadly down at the little girl. How can I leave her alone with that man? Surely a demon can have no good purpose in taking an innocent child around with him... She looked over toward the battle, which Sesshoumaru was still winng. Inuyasha swings his sword so clumsily... Why?
Sesshoumaru was dodging most of Inuyasha's attacks, getting slightly brushed every now and then.
But Inuyasha was in no mood to be beaten tonight. He was scratched in many places, and the evil aura of the sword sickened him, but he wasn't to be swayed. Inuyasha landed on his toes, holding the blade back, noticing that Sesshoumaru was finally keeping in one spot. He was about to attack, when Sesshoumaru spoke.
"What is the angel to you, Inuyasha?"
"She's my angel!" His eyes darkened. "And you're dead!" He flew at Sesshoumaru, and the exchange of blows began again.
Kagome looked at Sango and Miroku. "Listen. Suki went over there with something... I couldn't see what, but it was probably that disgusting toad demon. Why don't two of us go get her, so we can leave? He's not going to get anywhere with his brother this way. Not unless he... Would let go of the Tetsusaiga, and we can't let him do that."
"Why is he holding back using the wound of the wind? That would hurt Sesshoumaru." Miroku nodded to himself. "It wouldn't kill him, but it would at least let us retrieve Suki with no fuss."
"Suki's too close..." said Kagome. "I can tell... Even though he just met her, he wants her alive... For some reason."
Miroku chuckled. "Are you implying that you don't want her alive?"
"Of course not! That's terrible of you to say!"
"Indeed Miroku, Kagome isn't so full of malice that she'd want her dead. She's caused us trouble today, but I don't think she meant to." "Exactly. I was only jesting, Lady Kagome. Now, let's go get her, so that we can end this."
Sango nodded. "Kagome, you and Shippou come. I'll come back for you Miroku. You back Inuyasha in case he needs you."
Miroku nodded. "Keep them safe." Miroku looked around for the saimyoushou, prepared to unleash the wind tunnel if necessary.
Kagome and Sango climbed onto Kirara, and took off into the air in Suki's direction.
"Suki!"
Suki looked up, only to see Kirara coming close, Kagome's hand outstretched to her.
"Come on Suki, let's get out of here!"
"But..." Suki looked helplessly at Rin.
"Angel, aren't you going to come with us? You can see your other friends later, can't you?"
Sango sighed. "Suki, we don't have time for this! Let's go! It's because of you that Inuyasha can't strike the wound of the wind! If we don't get out of here, he may be killed!"
"I cannot just leave this poor child in the care of a demon!"
Shippou studied Rin closely. "What's her name Suki?"
"It's Rin, and it seems she's been travelling with Sesshoumaru. And I will not leave her!"
Rin stayed silent. She was confident that Suki was telling her friends to come back another time, that she would play with them later.
Kagome cast a fearful glance at Inuyasha, who had just barely missed getting run through by Toukijin. "Alright! Grab her, and let's go!"
"Rin... Listen to me very carefully."
"Yes, white lady?"
"You're going to come and stay with me and Sesshoumaru's brother for awhile, alright?"
"But..."
"You'll have fun! I promise!" Suki picked Rin up. "And... Everything will be okay! I promise!"
This worried Rin. Never since waking up from that strange sleep did she ever imagine she'd leave Sesshoumaru's side. She looked longingly at him, wondering why he wasn't coming too, as she was flown away on Kirara.
Jaken watched this spectacle with mixed feelings. He personally wanted that hideous girl and the child to go away. Then he and Sesshoumaru could go back to the way things were before. But then again, he was afraid of what Sesshoumaru would do to him if he just let them get away. He decided that the company of two girls was preferable to death. "Lord Sesshoumaru! Lord Sesshoumaru!" Jaken jumped, pointing wildly. "The angel has escaped! And Rin with her!"
Sesshoumaru looked up. Blast! Sesshoumaru knew that without Suki in the way, Inuyasha would use the wound of the wind, and he didn't know if Toukijin would be any protection from it. I could pursue them... Rin... He knew exactly who was responsible, and what she had been thinking. "Well, she most certainly has to die now. But I'll let her think she's won, just for now..."
"What was that Sesshoumaru!? Come on, let's finish this!"
"Not today, Inuyasha." Sesshoumaru sheathed Toukijin.
"You're afraid, aren't you!? Coward!" Inuyasha charged again.
Sesshoumaru flicked his wrist as Inuyasha made ready to stab him, and all Inuyasha saw a bright light before he was blown away as if he were no more than a twig.
"I'm not afraid Inuyasha. I'm just giving your friends a head start in their game of hide and seek. That's all. You should get going Inuyasha... You have three days." Sesshoumaru took off into the air.
"Lord Sesshoumaru, wait for me!" Jaken ran after him, keeping up as best he could.
Inuyasha just lay there for a minute, dazed. "Three days..."
"Inuyasha, Kagome and the others got away. Are you alright?"
"Yeah..." Inuyasha sat up. "Did you hear him, Miroku?"
"How could I not?"
"He said three days. Three days until what?"
"Hmm... When the others flew away, I saw that Suki was carrying a child in her arms."
"A child? Like... What kind of child?"
"I could make out that it was a little girl with black hair. That's all."
"Some servant whelp of Sesshoumaru's no doubt... But three days... Until what?"
"Perhaps... Three days... Until he comes back."
"Let him. I'll kill him..."
"Well, the others will be waiting for us. Let's go."
Kagome, Shippou, Sango, and Suki were waiting for them back at their meeting place.
"Inuyasha! You're alright!" Kagome looked relieved.
"Yeah, so I am." Inuyasha turned around, glaring at Suki, who was holding a rather large bundle in her arms. "What the hell happened Suki?" Inuyasha demanded as soon as she was in earshot. "And what's that?"
"I don't know... I went to where I sensed the jewel shard and... Then I was attacked. I woke up not much before you came."
"That's easy!" chirped the bundle in Suki's arms. "Sesshoumaru thought you were coming to fight him, so he hit you over the head!"
"Oh... Um... Inuyasha..." Kagome looked down at the ground. "We kind of had to bring back... Something with us."
"So I noticed." Inuyasha poked Rin. "Who are you?"
"This is Rin!" Suki finally set her down.
"Alright then. Why is Rin here?"
"Simple," sighed Sango. "Either we took her with us, or we left both her and Suki there with Sesshoumaru."
"So..." Shippou jumped in front of Rin, who only stared at him. "What were you doing hanging around with a jerk like Sesshoumaru anyway? Were you his prisoner or something?"
Rin shook her head.
"My name's Shippou. We won't hurt you, I promise!"
"Alright, look!" Inuyasha was getting frustrated. "Sesshoumaru ran away, declaring that we had three days which according to Miroku means that in three days, he's coming back!"
"So... Lord Sesshoumaru's going to come after all?" Rin's eyes brightened up.
Kagome sighed. "Rin..." She couldn't help but already feel an attachment to this little girl. What way was there to explain to her that they meant to take her away from Sesshoumaru forever?
"Did you get the other shard, Inuyasha?"
"Yeah. No problem." He held the glinting piece of jewel between his fingers, staring almost lovingly at it. "But... Damnit... This means that Sesshoumaru has a shard!"
"Yes!" Rin grinned. "He let me hold it once! But what are we going to do until Lord Sesshoumaru comes back?"
"Listen kid. Don't you get it yet? We have to either get away from Sesshoumaru, or kill him. If we don't, me, you, and everyone else will die!"
"Be quiet Inuyasha! Are you trying to scare her!?"
"Lord Sesshoumaru never yelled," Rin whispered.
"So," said Sango. "What do we do? Do we run, or do we fight?"
"The answer should be obvious." Inuyasha patted the hilt of his sword. "We fight!"
"Inuyasha." Suki stood up. "I'll tell you like it is! You can't fight him, because if you do, he'll win!" She pointed to the others. "And not only will you die, but they will too. Accept it Inuyasha, Sesshoumaru is stronger!"
"Pah!"
"Hey!" Kagome stamped her foot. "Maybe all we need is a strategy. But we can't figure that out in three days... The holidays are coming up for me at home. Why don't we go there for awhile... Until we can figure something out?"
Suki sighed. It was only her first day here, and already things were going wrong. How am I supposed to accomplish my mission if I'm hundreds of years away from Kikyou!?
Inuyasha was thinking the same thing. But he certainly felt no sympathy for Suki's homesickness. The sooner she leaves, the better for everyone! But she won't be any good to me if Sesshoumaru kills her or kidnaps her. Damn... Looks like I'm gonna have to wait. Inuyasha threw his hands up. "Fine! Whatever!"
Suki hung her head. "I'm sorry everyone..."
"What's done is done, Lady Suki," said Miroku. "You meant no harm, we know that."
"Oh... Yeah... Wait, guys."
"Yeah Kagome?" Inuyasha was exasperated.
"What would I do with you all? And how would we cover you guys' identities up? We'd have to go shopping, I think. And I don't have enough money to outfit all of you!"
"I don't think that will be a problem," said Suki. "I am half angel after all... I think I could get you all some normal clothes."
"What's wrong with my clothes!?" demanded Inuyasha.
"It wouldn't exactly... Fit in with the times."
"And then Shippou has fox feet and a tail, and Inuyasha has dog ears. What are we gonna do about that?"
Inuyasha looked at Shippou. "You can take on the appearance of a human, can't you? I've seen you change into Kagome before."
"Well... I'll try!" Shippou grinned.
All but Inuyasha stepped back from the big puff of smoke that followed.
Inuyasha made his way through the smoke, trying to see if Shippou had gotten it right.
When the smoke had cleared, they were all surprised.
Shippou had turned himself into a small human boy. He wavered around a bit. "Whoa... I'm not used to having human legs."
Rin clapped her hands in delight.
Kagome grinned. "Shippou... You're adorable!"
"Really? I did a good job?" Shippou pranced around, an air of pride about him.
"Perfect job," said Suki. "But can you hold that?"
"I've never tried to hold an illusion for a long time... I dunno." Shippou scratched his head.
"Worry about that later, I guess... Now Inuyasha, about your ears..."
"Is there any spell you can put on him Suki?" asked Miroku.
Suki sighed. "No... Not right now..." "What do you mean, 'not right now?' When can you then?" Inuyasha crossed his arms. "I have yet to actually see you do anything useful so far!"
"I'm still... Weak, from my fall! I'll get stronger! But, until then.... Kagome, is there anything that Inuyasha might use to cover his head?"
"Cover my head? No!"
"Sit!"
Inuyasha slammed face first into the ground. "Curse you..."
"What is that anyway?" asked Suki. "That's the second time I've seen you do that."
"Magic, basically."
"Can I do it?"
"No!" shouted Inuyasha.
"Well Suki, I'm the one who shouted the word of submission... So no, I doubt it. And yeah, he can wear a hat or a bandanna or something."
"Anyway... If that's all there is to it, then this should be simple. But Kagome... Please don't tell your mother what I am. Or anyone else for that matter."
Kagome nodded.
"But... How will we go back to your time?"
"Through the well."
Well? Suki had known that Kagome was from a different era, but she had never bothered to look into how she went back and forth.
Sango readied Kirara. "Get on you two," she said to Miroku and Suki.
They hastily obeyed, as Shippou and Kagome climbed onto Inuyasha's back.
They didn't have to travel far. Or maybe it just didn't seem like it. They all had quite a bit to think about.
"What well?" asked Suki, finally.
"Lady Kagome travels between the times with a magic well," answered Miroku.
"Here we are," said Sango, jumping off. "Well, are we ready?" Sango didn't dare admit that she felt nervous. Five hundred years... A lot can happen in five hundred years...
"Um... Sango?" asked Kagome.
"Yes?"
"Are you going to bring Kirara with you?"
"Oh..." Sango's eyes darkened a bit at the thought of leaving behind her beloved friend. But she shook her head. "No... I'll leave her here." Sango turned her head to the large cat. "Kirara, I'm going to leave for a little while. I'll be back soon, alright?" Sango put her arms around Kirara.
They could all hear the cat demon purr. "Be careful, okay? Go Kirara!" Sango blinked back tears.
Kirara moved her head in what seemed like a nod, and ran into the shadows, disappearing completely. "It's okay Sango... We shouldn't be gone that long." Kagome patted her back.
"I know... It's just that I haven't ever parted with Kirara...."
"Okay, enough! Are we ready to go?"
"Inuyasha, you're so insensitive!"
"Well I just want to get this over with! We don't have time to let her sit around and whine!"
Suki sighed and shook her head. "Shippou you don't have to hold that disguise for now."
"You sure?"
"Yeah... My mom's already seen Inuyasha. A little boy with fox feet shouldn't bother her too much..."
Shippou nodded, and reverted. "Okay!"
"Well, are we ready? We're all gonna have to jump in at the same time... We don't all have jewel shards to take us through. So if we're not touching, somebody won't go through."
"All of us... In there?" Miroku looked skeptical.
"Yes, in there! Scared Miroku?" Inuyasha jeered.
"Of course not." Miroku could be heard uttering a small prayer.
"We can't waste any time with second thoughts. Let's just do this. Join hands everyone."
They all did as directed.
Sango almost kicked Miroku when she felt him squeeze her hand.
"On the count of three, we'll jump."
"White lady, where are we going?"
"A trip, Rin, do not worry." Suki gripped her hand tightly. "I won't let anything bad happen to you."
"Okay... Again... Let's count to three." "To hell with that," said Inuyasha. "I'm jumping now!" With that, Inuyasha jumped into the well, pulling everyone else with him. Their screams echoed through the trees of the forest of Inuyasha. When they faded, all that was left was the remains of a campfire.
--------
"Ow..." Kagome opened her eyes.
"Getoffame!"
"Huh?"
"Getoutofthewellstupid!"
Kagome recognized Inuyasha's voice, and concluded that they at least had made it through. But what about the others?
With an 'encouraging' jab from Inuyasha, Kagome began to climb her way out of the well.
"About fuckin' time," muttered Inuyasha, as he jumped out. "Don't worry, the others are there."
A few groans came from inside the well.
"Are you guys all right?" asked Kagome.
Miroku was in heaven, having two pretty girls lying on top of him.
"Let me out first!" Sango scrambled out of the well as fast as she could. "Lecherous monk..."
"Well, that means that Miroku made it," Kagome said to herself. "Hey Suki! You down there? And Rin?"
"I'm fine! And I have Rin. But can someone help me out?"
"Let me be of assisstance Lady Suki."
"Thank you Miroku!"
Miroku kept Suki in one arm as he climbed his way out of the well.
Kagome breathed a sigh of relief when she saw them both. "But... Where's Shippou?"
"He's... Not up here?" asked Miroku.
"Oh no..." Kagome brought a hand to her mouth.
"Boo!" Shippou fell from the ceiling.
"Shippou!" Kagome scooped the little fox demon up into her arms and hugged him.
"Tricked ya!"
"Yeah... You sure did. Don't do that anymore!"
"Stop. We have to go meet Kagome's family, and make sure that our plan is secure." Miroku looked around.
"Um... Everyone." Kagome cleared her throat. "You gotta realize that this world is very, very different from yours. There are gonna be a lot of things that you don't understand or recognize at all. Try not to make a big deal. I'll teach you what you need to know. And Suki will try to work out some clothes for you as soon as she can..."
Suki nodded.
"Let me go talk to my mom guys. All of you stay here!" Kagome climbed the steps, and disappeared through the door.
"It's night here too, I guess." Sango had noticed the darkness outside the door. "It can't be that different..."
"Trust me..." Inuyasha snorted. "It is. Normal people eat all they want here, and sleep in soft beds, and take hot baths every night if they want. "
"Whoa..." Sango was speechless.
"So?" asked Shippou. "I've never gone hungry before. My pa gave me whatever I wanted."
"Right... Anyway..."
"I'm back!" Kagome looked down into the well house. "Mom says you can all come in. She seems excited for some reason..."
The whole lot followed Kagome to a house that to Sango and Miroku, was awfully large.
"Kagome's family must be important people..."
"This is a shrine Sango. Her mother must be the village priestess. No wonder Kagome was endowed with such powers..."
Rin just stared straight ahead.
Even Shippou's eyes widened as they entered Kagome's home. "Wow... What's that? And that?"
"Oh my goodness!" Before Shippou could attack a table lamp, he was in the arms of a smiling woman.
"He's so adorable! Oh Kagome, where did you find such a cute little boy? And such furry little feet!"
"You mean..." Sango was almost dumbfounded. "You don't mind that he's a demon?"
"Oh, ever since Kagome fell into the well so long ago, we've been having all sorts of strange things happen! We've gotten quite used to demons"-
"I haven't!" declared an old man. "What entity of great power are you, that you could break through the well again!?" He pointed at Inuyasha. "You weren't strong enough alone this time, were you? You had to bring friends!"
"Good sir." Miroku knelt before Kagome's grandfather. "You surely have been trained in the priesthood?"
The small man tried to stand up tall and look powerful. "I am the latest in a long line of priests who have been protecting the Sunset Shrine from all sorts of evil"-
"Well then, sir, as a monk myself, I can tell you that Shippou and Inuyasha aren't a bad sort. They will do no dishonor to your shrine while they are here."
"Mom, my friends need to stay here for a little while... Is that okay?"
"Well, that would be wonderful Kagome!"
"White lady, where are we?"
"Oh... There's a little girl too? Is this her little sister?" Kagome's mother looked at Sango.
"Uh... Yeah. This is Sango's little sister, Rin."
This only made Sango think about Kohaku, and that made her uncomfortable.
"Her parents had to go away on... Business. So she thought that Rin could just stay with Sango, but Sango wanted to come over here, so"-
"And who is this?" Mrs. Higurashi studied Suki for a moment. "You must be an American. Is that what you are? An American? Or are you from Europe? I would suspect that you are from northern Europe, but you're not tall enough..."
"Well..." Suki was confused.
"Yes! She's an exchange student." Kagome grinned.
"But her name is Japanese."
"My parents were very into your country's culture!" blurted Suki. "And I am their first and only child, and so... My name is Suki."
"Well, that makes sense! You speak our language very well!" Mrs. Higurashi returned to being cheerful. "You children look like you've been outside a lot today..." She eyed Shippou and Rin. "And so do you!" She pointed at Inuyasha. "You three should take baths before you go to bed."
"Kagome," whispered Suki. "Your mother doesn't even seem phased by any of this. Is there something wrong with her?"
"She's pretty liberal... She didn't even seem to care when I went missing for three days. I guess she trusts that I won't get into trouble or bring trouble here."
"A bath?" Inuyasha sniffed. "No woman's gonna make me take a bath!"
"Inuyasha, just do it!" hissed Kagome.
Inuyasha sighed. It was going to be a long few weeks...