Chapter 6

A Journey Begins

"SHUT UP!"

"This is a song that never ends and it goes on and on my friends..." Natsumi sang at the top of her lungs.

"STOP IT IDIOT!" Yasuo yelled trying to top Natsumi's voice, although unsuccessfully.

"Some people started singing it not knowing what it was and they'll continue singing it forever just because... This is the song that never ends..." Natsumi sang on ignoring the pleads of others.

"Alright, I'll sneak up behind and you distract her," Kane mumbled behind Yasuo.

"Some people started singing it not knowing what it was..." Natsumi continued.

"One, Two, THREE!" And in know time Natsumi was on the ground with her hands tied and gagged. "Throw her in the wagon. Finally silence!" Kane and Yasuo said in unison. After a few hours they untied her and made it clear to her that if she sung one note they would through her of the cliff.

"Are we there yet?" She asked playfully.

"No," Yasuo said.

"Oh... Are we there yet?" She asked again.

"NO just be quite and enjoy the scenery," Kane said.

"Do you ever shut up, Natsumi?" Yasuo asked sarcastically.

"Nope...Are we there yet?"

"SHUT UP!"

View shifts back to present time.

"See there are Kane's and Yasuo's bags," Sota said pointing to the corner.

"I swear if they show those diaries to anyone their dead!" Kagome said.

"Get over it. Let's go," Sota said climbing into the well.

"We're coming to," Carol said firmly.

"I can only transfer two extra people with so little power. Someone has to stay," Kagome said. "And Sota has to come. My children will listen to him."

"I'll stay. Kiyoshiko should go. She can get Natsumi to do anything," Carol said and smiled. "Just bring my little girl home safe and sound."

"I promise mom," Kiyoshiko said and walked over to the well. "So how does this thing work?"

"Just a minute. Before we go anywhere we should bring things we'll need," Kagome said and ran off. "I'll be right back." Sure enough she was back in no more than 10 minutes with a bag full of supplies along with a bow and arrow.

"What's with the weapons?" Kiyoshiko asked.

"Never mind that. Now hold my hand tight and on my word jump," Kagome instructed.

"O-okay," she said and grabbed Kagome's right hand. Sota grasped the other.

"You know this will be my first time to the feudal era," Sota said suddenly.

"Now!" Kagome said and they all jumped into the sacred well. Strangely they seemed to float and the atmosphere swirled around them. It seemed like they were in space or in a never-ending black hole. Finally they found solid ground. "Everyone alright?"

"Yah I'm okay," Kiyoshiko said getting up. "Where's Sota?"

"I'm up here!" Sota shouted from outside to well. "Boy this is something. Come on up."

"Just give us a minute. I haven't done this in over 10 years," Kagome said as she climbed up.

"WOW!" Kiyoshiko said as she looked around.

"Not much has changed. Let's head to the village," Kagome said and walked away with the others following behind.

"Wow there's the sacred tree!" Sota exclaimed.

"Yes, that means we're close to the village," Kagome said and after about another 5 minutes they came into view with devastation. "Oh-no the village is under attack."

"WHAT THE HELL IS THAT!" Kiyoshiko screamed as she pointed at the huge beast that was causing the horrible damage.

"I'll explain later. Both of you find shelter!" Kagome demanded and threw the bag of supplies to them. I haven't used one of these in a while. I hope my shot hasn't rusted. She thought as she drew an arrow. She raised the bow and prepared to fire. Carefully, she aimed for the monster. "YO UGLY!" she shouted and fired. An extremely bright light came forth and enshrouded the arrow. BAM!! Direct hit. The beast then burst and disintegrated. Shout and hollers could be heard from all around from the villagers.

"SHE DID IT!"

"HORRAY!"

They all cheered as she rested her weapon. "Who are thee who saved us all?" Kaede said as she walked up to face Kagome. "No it can't be... Kikyo?"

"It has been a long time Kaede but I'm not Kikyo. I'm Kagome," she said and smiled sweetly.

"Kagome! I can't believe it. It has indeed been a long time," Kaede said returning the smile.

"What the hell just happened?" Kiyoshiko asked confused.

"Let's just say Kagome is very impressive with an arrow," Sota said and went over to Kagome's side.

"And who is this my child?" Kaede asked.

"CHILD! You're not her mother," Kiyoshiko burst.

"It's only an expression. He is my younger brother, Sota," Kagome said.

"Oh I see. Kagome has told much about you. And the loud one?" Kaede said with a chuckle.

"Hey!"

"Her name is Kiyoshiko," Kagome said.

"Hey are you really Kagome?" Kagome looked down to see two children tugging at her shirt.

"Yes. Why?" She said.

"Wow that is so cool! Daddy was right. You are strong. I want to be as strong as you, when I grow up. Mommy is training me but I'm no where near as good as you. Will you train me? Please," the little girl said as the boy said "Mommy talks about you all the time. You're so cool!"

"Umm... Hey" Kagome tried to cut in.

"Tell us about the time when you were kidnapped by those wolfs. That sounded so scary. Were you scared? What happened? Did they hurt you?" the girl asked.

"Hey..." Kagome tried again.

"Or how about when you met Inuyasha. What happens when you say sit. How old are you? Are you really trying to save uncle? What happened to the Jewel?"

"SETTLE DOWN!" Kiyoshiko yelled and everyone grew silent. "Now why don't you tell Kagome who you are. Then, I'm sure, she will answer all your questions." She finished as Kagome nodded with thanks.

"My name is Kin, and my sister is Akina. Mommy and daddy always talk about you and how they miss you," Kin said.

"Who are your parents? How do they know me?" Kagome asked confused.

"Their parents are Sango and Miroku. Kin is 6 years old and Akina is 4 years old," Kaede explained.

"WHAT! Your Sango's and Miroku's kids!" Kagome yelled in shock and with a nod from the surprised children she continued. "How are they by the way? Are they here?"

"No they left yesterday. The young ones stayed behind. But they are well," Kaede said.

"Well I'm glad to hear that. And I say it's about time, I thought those two would never get together. Please tell me Miroku has been behaving himself," Kagome said with a bit of a chuckle.

"Sango is very patient to say the least," Kaede said with a sigh.

"He'll never change," moaned Kagome.

"Well let's go inside out of the cold," Kaede said and signaled for the group to follow. After they were all sitting around the fire the conversation turned. "So what brings ye to the village?"

"I'm looking for two children, Kane and Yasuo and..." Kagome said.

"Oh those two. They were here a while ago but have ventured with Inuyasha and the others.

"They were here! Tell me, was there a small little girl with them? Her name is Natsumi," Kiyoshiko said excited.

"Yes she is traveling with them now. How do ye know her?" Kaede asked.

"I'm her sister," Kiyoshiko said.

"Oh the child did mention of you," Kaede said. "That child could reach far with her voice."

"Yes she is the biggest pain in the rear. Just wait until she starts singing. I should have never taught her it," Kiyoshiko said with a fed up sigh.

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Ahchoooooooooooooooooooo!!!! "Hehehe. Some one must be talking about me," Natsumi said. "Now for the entertainment."

"Oh no. She wouldn't..." Kane said.

"She's going to..." Yasuo said.

"This is a song that never ends and it goes on and on my friends..."

"SHUT UP!"

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"She can't be that bad," Kagome said standing in defense of the small child.

"OH she's bad," Kiyoshiko assured.

"Tell me, Kaede, where did they go?" Kagome said.

"I'm not sure but they headed west. Did ye know those children had the jewel?" Kaede asked.

"Yes they stole it from me. Although they are not aware of the power it holds," Kagome said. "And even if you told them they will either not understand or they will not believe the story. We will leave at dawn."

"Very well. I will arrange a wagon and horse," Kaede offered.

"Thank you very much," Kagome said and walked out side.

"Hey, I forgot to ask. What was that thing that was attacking the village?" Kiyoshiko asked later. Kagome stared at her from across the room looking as if she was thinking of how she should answer.

She glance over at Sota who was leaning against the southern wall and shrugged, "A demon," she answered plainly and watched Kiyoshiko carefully for her reaction.

Hahahahahahahahahaha! Kiyoshiko laughed. "A demon? Get real! There's no such thing!"

"There is to such a thing," Sota cut in, "There are demons that roam this land that would rip you apart!"

"WHAT! ARE YOU SERIOUS!" Kiyoshiko shouted.

"Of course not!" He said this time with a more serious tone.

"Thank goodness," Kiyoshiko said relieved.

"Yah, your so small it could probably swallow you whole," Sota said with an unusually strait face.

Gulp! "Th-that's not f-funny!" Kiyoshiko stuttered.

"Oh calm down. No ones going to eat you," Kagome said with a disapproving look in Sota's direction.

"How can you be so sure?" Kiyoshiko asked.

"First of all, just because someone has the ability to harm you doesn't mean that they would. You should be a little more trusting," Kagome said.

"But what if..."

"Look if any one does attack us they will have to deal with me," Kagome said with a glint of pride in her eyes.

"Yah Kagome will teach them who is boss," Sota cheered.

"Oh come to think of it... Where are we?" Kiyoshiko asked.

"We're in the Fudal Era. 500 years in the past. Kagome used to come here all the time when she was your age and went on all sorts of adventures. We wouldn't see her for months at a time. I had always wanted to see it for myself but this is the very first time I have been here. Isn't it awesome?" Sota said with a sparkle in his eyes.

"500 YEARS? But how..." Kiyoshiko questioned.

"These," Kagome said and held up a pair of glistening earrings. "These are made from the shards of the Shikon No Tama, an ancient jewel with amazing powers. It is desired by all demons and greedy humans but is also what allows me, and anything I touch to enter this world. The well we jumped into is the gate way between this world and the world you know."

"Wow that is so awesome! So you are the only one who can pass through! That's so cool," Kiyoshiko exclaimed.

"Well no. Some choice mikos and any demon I choose can enter. But the Mikos must have a shard of the jewel and the demons I choose must be extremely powerful," Kagome explained.

"But why you. Why are you the one who can choose?" Kiyoshiko pressed further.

"I'm the reincarnation of a high priestess and that's about all I can think of," Kagome said. Kiyoshiko fell silent for a while and looked down at the floor trying to sort the info she received. There were many questions flying about in her mind, but could see that Kagome was in no mood to answer. She dropped the subject reluctantly and finally fell into a light sleep.

In the morning.

"Thank you again!" called Kagome from the wagon, which was now headed west.

"Ye are welcome child," Kaede said as the travelers disappeared in the distance.

"Where are we going anyway?" Kiyoshiko asked Kagome.

"West," she answered simply.

"I know that but where?" Kiyoshiko asked once more.

"That depends on where the other's headed. Where they are we'll go," she answered.

"But we don't even know where they went," Kiyoshiko said now completely confused.

"Allow me to explain," Sota cut in, "Kane is carrying a jewel called the Shikon No Tama. Kagome has the power to track it. So basically all we have to do is follow her seances."

"But how can she sense it? Why can she do this and not you or me?" she asked.

"Kagome is the reincarnation of a high priestess or more commonly a miko so she also got these powers. She's also killer with a bow and arrow," Sota explained with a chuckle. After a while, with the village far behind, everyone fell silent. The only noise was the rolling of the wheels and the thumping of the horse's feet against the dirt road.

"This really is unbearable. Can't you do something about all these bumps?" Kiyoshiko complained.

"When I was your age we didn't use the wagon. We walked on foot," Kagome snapped.

"Well you're used to it," Kiyoshiko mumbled.

"You're forgetting I haven't done this in over 15 years," Kagome said.

"Yes but..." Kiyoshiko started but was suddenly hushed by Kagome. Kagome signaled for the cart to be stopped and for everyone to stay put. She slowly got out of the cart grabbing her bow and arrows. She pointed them due west and prepared to fire. Kiyoshiko stood there confused and scared. She had never seen Kagome look so frightening and serious. Sota just sat there watching like he was studying her every move. Then suddenly Kagome lowered her weapon and smiled; she even gave a slight chuckle.

"What? Who's coming?" Sota asked calmly, but Kagome just smiled.

End to chapter 6