Rhapsody-**bows** Thanks to whomever reviewed. Tat is still. . .mysteriously 'gone'. **grins knowingly** I Bet she went into 'EAT mode' again. . .

**sighs** We do NOT own Inuyasha or Love Hina. Speaking of which, someone was asking who Keitaro is.

Lets see. . .how shall I explain this. . .?

Keitaro is the main character off of Love Hina, he's the owner of a girl's dorm and often finds himself in questionable situations like seeing the girls nude, accidently feeling up. . .etc.

Why he's here. . .**finds an excuse**

You-**stare** Yes?

Rhapsody-Um. . .just read the fic! Stop asking questions! **goes back to being calm and serious**

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CHAPTER THREE (by Rhapsody)

"Stupid… ungrateful… wrenches!" Inuyasha was muttering as he stalked through the underbrush. Angrily he clawed a tree limb that was in his way and passed beneath.

"Expect me to do all the work! Well, let's see how well they do without Inuyasha to save their tails," he continued grumbling.

"Inuyasha!" came a yell so far away that even he with his sensitive dog ears could hardly hear it. His ears twitched. That was Kagome's voice…

He slowed his pace to think a minute. He wanted to go back to her, to make sure she was alright…

"Inuyasha!" another voice called—Miroku. Inuyasha grunted and went back to slashing at the shrubbery. Miroku would keep her safe…

"What am I thinking?" he said aloud as another thought occurred to him. "Yeah, keep her safe all right… And who knows what else, that lecher…" he finished with dark thoughts.

There was nothing else for it… He doubled back to keep watch. He wouldn't travel with them, no, he'd let them deal with demons by themselves. He wouldn't give in that easy.

But he would follow them and make sure Kagome was safe. She… she could find the jewel shards, after all. There was no other reason! None at all! He tried to convince himself that was the truth, all the while flitting easily through the undergrowth.

Keitaro finally regained consciousness. He opened his eyes and saw… a turtle.

"Myuh?" Tama-chan inquired from her position on Keitaro's chest.

Keitaro blinked and sat up slowly. He was… Well, it was dark. And kind of cold. He glanced upwards and saw a tiny square of light.

Where the heck was he?

"I don't think we're in Tokyo anymore, Tama-chan," he muttered to the animal, who then took to the air. She disappeared in the square of light, and then a few moments later sent an echoing "Myuh?" downwards to Keitaro.

"I'm coming, I'm coming," he replied and began climbing the walls of wherever he was. Finally he collapsed, panting, out of what he could see now was a well. He glanced around in puzzlement at the forest. There wasn't any place like this in Tokyo…

"Tama-chan?" he said, suddenly realizing that the animal was nowhere in sight. There was a faint "Myuh" from his left and he stumbled through the bushes in that direction.

Suddenly the bushes (which were pricking him all over, but especially in tender places) parted and Keitaro fell out onto a path. A girl stepped on his back and then squealed in surprise, jumping back.

"Who are you?!"

"Aiuh," he managed, trying to get his wind back.

"Kagome?!"

A man dressed all in black ran into view and stepped on Keitaro too.

"Are you all right?" he called worriedly, not seeming to notice the body beneath his feet.

Wordlessly Kagome pointed at the man who had appeared out of nowhere, nearly giving her a heart attack. She took a second look at him. He appeared to be about college age…

And he was wearing contemporary clothes.

Miroku poked him in the back with his staff. "Who are you to disturb a young lady like that?" he asked.

"Oww!" the stranger protested. Miroku poked him again and repeated the question.

"My name is Keitaro Urashima," he admitted, seeming puzzled at their almost paranoid reaction to his appearance.

"And who is this?" another voice inquired as its owner appeared—a beautiful young woman in a feudal-era peasant outfit. She had a huge boomerang slung on her back, and there was a smaller being at her feet. A little boy or girl, Keitaro couldn't tell, with… fox feet.

He gaped in astonishment. The little boy or girl just blinked.

"What's with him? Does he know where Inuyasha went?" it asked in a high child's voice, probably male.

"That's a good question," the man in black agreed. He poked Keitaro again (Keitaro was really starting to dislike that staff). "Why are you here? And have you seen a silver-haired half-demon around here anywhere?"

"You're the first people I've seen, and I only found you because I was looking for my turtle. Where am I?" Keitaro asked. He was baffled.

"You are in the Era of Warring States," the girl who had stepped on him first told him cheerfully.

"WHAT?!"

"I'm Kagome," she continued as if what she had just said was not unusual in any way. She leaned down and pulled him to his feet.

"And who's this?" Inuyasha asked himself as he smelled a new scent in the air. Probably human… But he couldn't be too sure. He ran faster so he could reach Kagome in time to protect her if there was need.