Chapter 5
Complicated
"Inu--yasha, you jerk! Put me down! I have school to go to!" Kagome yelled.
"Not with HIM you don't," Inu-yasha said, as he and Kagome jumped out of the well together.
She flailed her arms and kicked at his chest, threatening, "Inu-yasha, don't make me say the word!"
"Say it all you want," Inu-yasha said, grinning from ear to ear, "But I won't let that Joey guy marry you!"
"No one said we getting married!" Kagome screamed, blushing, "We just went out on one date!"
"Oh it starts that way," Inu-yasha growled just thinking about it, "But before you know it, you're having his kids, sitting around, getting fat, and not hunting Jewel Shards or feeding me Ramen!"
"You are so selfish!" Kagome yelled.
--------------Scene Break----------------
"Where are we?" Mai asked as she, Yugi, Tea, Tristan, and Joey looked around at the strange forest they were standing in.
"Is this real?" asked Tea, stepping forward, looking for any sign of the shrine that should be there.
"It's real, Tea," said Yami/Yugi. "I can't quite explain it, but I feel as though we are still in Tokyo, yet we aren't."
"Don't talk in riddles, man," said Joey impatiently. "We can't possibly be anywhere near Tokyo. Besides, we gotta save Kagome, and there's no sign of where that beast took her."
"There is, Joey," said Yami/Yugi, "We just can't see it. But I may have something that can help us." He took the back pack off his shoulders, set it down, and took out the Millennium Ring.
"How did you know to pack that?" asked Tea.
"When I woke up this morning, I felt that I would need the Millennium Items, so I packed them."
"We can use the Ring to find Kagome?" asked Tristan. "But, I thought only Bakura could use that."
"As Pharaoh, I have authority over all the Items," replied Yami/Yugi. "They're powers are mine to control."
"Well then let's stop flappin our gums and get goin." said Joey.
"We will, Joey. But if you plan to help her, you must calm down."
"Yugi's right," said Mai, "You can't go in fighting with no idea how you're going to beat that dog monster."
"Fine, I'll calm down," said Joey, shoving his hands in his pockets. His feet shuffling in urgency
"Alright," said Yami/Yugi. He closed his eyes, and calling up the ancient powers within him, he held out the Ring. "Millennium Ring," he said in a commanding voice, "Guide us to our friend Kagome. Help us find the right path!" Then, the prongs on the Ring pointed left, through the thickest part of the forest.
"This way!" said Yami/Yugi, going in the direction the Ring was leading them. The others followed close, but Joey was soon running beside Yami/Yugi. The Game King looked at his loyal friend, and saw the look of anger and determination on his face. He prayed that if they had to fight that creature, that Joey would be careful.
-------------Scene Break------------
Inu-yasha had taken Kagome back to the hut they all now shared near the forest. Shippo, Sango, and Miroku were glad to see her back, and Kagome missed them too, but she was mad at Inu-yasha. What he did was dangerous and stupid.
"Why did you do that?" she demanded the han-you.
"Fine thanks I get for bringing you home!" he shouted back. "We need you here to find jewel shards. Besides, you think I'm gonna let that sleaze bag back in your time have his hands all over you? He was pawing you before I got in there!"
"He was just holding my hand, and he was taking me to school! And he's not a sleaze bag! His name's Joey, and he's a nice guy!"
"Yeah right." Inu-yasha said sarcastically.
"He is," Kagome said again. "And what you did was stupid, Inu-yasha. You were acting just like Kouga!"
"What? I'm nothing like that mangy wolf!"
"Really? Then tell me, Inu-yasha, what does he do every time he sees you with me?"
"What I did was completely different! He grabs you and carries you off cause he thinks you're his woman. I did it cause- uh. Cause-"
"Uh huh?"
"D-----" Inu-yasha said softly. 'He realized I was right', Kagome thought. 'At least he's not a total idiot.'
"Well," said Inu-yasha, "It was all Miroku's fault!" he siad, pointing at the monk, "He's the one who told me to go after you."
"Oh really?" Kagome asked, looking over at Miroku. Sango justr crossed her arms, and glared at him, as if to say 'what were you thinking?'
"I was misinformed," Miroku said defensively,
"Whatever," Sango said, and slapped him upside his head.
"Joey thinks you kidnapped me" Kagome siad, getting back to berating Inu-yasha "Well, you're mom or somebody can tell him different. Then, when you go back gain, you can confirm it."
"What am I supposed to tell him?!"
"I don't know! Tell him he dreamed the whole thing!"
"He's not stupid, Inu-yasha. No one would fall for that!"
"Then you come up with something!"
"Inu-yasha, Kagome," said Shippo, tugging at Inu-yasha's pant leg.
"What!?" everyone yelled.
"There are people coming out of the woods. They're in weird clothes, like Kagome's. "
"What?" said Kagome. She went through the door, and saw Joey, Yugi, and the others coming out of the woods. She was beyond surprised to see any of them here, in Feudal Japan. How had they gotten there? Could it be they came through the well? But that was impossible! No one could pass through the well unless they were part demon, or had a Jewel shard.
-----------Scene Break------------
As they exited the forest, Joey and Yugi were surprised to see a village rising up before them. And standing in front of a hut, nearest to the forest, was Kagome.
"Joey!" she cried out, smiling, as she started running to him.
"Kagome!" Joey cried out, seeing her coming towards him. "You're okay!"
As they neared, Joey could not stop contain his relief. He vowed then and there to never let anyone come between them again. He would protect her from anything.
His joy was short lived, though. As they were mere feet away, Yugi shouted out, "Joey! Look out!"
"That monster's behind her!" screamed Tea.
Joey looked over Kagome's shoulder, and saw Inu-yasha charging at them, his claws extended. "Kagome, get down!" Joey yelled as he dove, and pushed her down, covering her body from Inu-yasha's attack, just barely missing those claws himself. After a minute, Joey rose a bit, and let Kagome sit up. He looked her over, checking for any sign of injury, and asked, "Are you okay? Did that thing hurt you?"
"I'm alright Joey." she said, looking into his eyes. "But, what-?"
"Hey!" shouted Inu-yasha. "What do you think you're doing on top of her?!"
"THAT DOES IT!" screamed Joey, getting up, guarding Kagome from this demon. "You can tear me apart, but as long as I breath, you won't get near Kagome!"
"Fine by me!" shouted Inu-yasha as he came charging again. Joey closed his eyes, prepared to meet his death, not regretting that it was for a girl like Kagome. Then he heard two voices shouting.
"Inu-yasha," said the male voice, "Stop this madness!"
"Kagome!" said the girl's voice. "Stop him!"
"SIT!!!" Kagome cried out. There was a loud thud, and Joey opened his eyes. Inu-yasha was face down on the ground, and couldn't get up!
"What happened?" he said, unbelieving that this beast was defeated, and that he was still alive.
"I told him to behave." Kagome said, getting up and putting her hand on Joey's arm. She looked up into his eyes again, and asked him sweetly, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, but," he said, looking from her to Inu-yasha, who was starting to get up, "How did you do that?"
"It's complicated," she said, "but basically, as long as he wears those prayer beads, I say a word, and he's subdued"
"How?"
"Darn it!" said In-yasha, on his feet again. "You know that kills my back! And what are you doing looking at her like that!"
"Like this," said Kagome. "Sit, boy!" With a flash and a thud, Inu-yasha was down again, groaning with pain.
"Whoa," said Joey, "cool."
"Sit, sit, sit, sit, sit, SIT!" Kagome said, forcing Inu-yasha deeper into the ground. "He should be stuck that way for a while."
"Joey!" hollered Tea. His friends were coming to them, as amazed as he was at what had transpired.
"It seems things were switched," observed Yugi, with a light chuckle. "We came with Joey to rescue you, Kagome, but You rescued Joey instead."
"I could have done that anytime," she said smiling
"Kagome," Joey said, pulling away a bit. "Did you know he looked like this?"
"Well, um," she said, looking down, "Yes."
"Then, why did-?"
"He was never a danger to you, was he, Kagome?" asked Yugi.
Kagome looked at them all, a look of shame and fear in her eyes. "No. He'd never hurt me." she said softly.
"Then why did he bring you here" Tea asked.
"Because," Kagome said, " He loves me." Then, she looked around at them, and continued, "I fell down the well, and landed here, in the Feudal Era. I released him from an enchanted sleep, so he could save this village from a monster. Then, I found out that a sacred Jewel was born inside me, and it could give power to anyone who possessed it. Then, when a demon tried to take the jewel, I accidentally shattered it, and now I have to find the shards, before someone else does and uses it for evil."
"But why are you with him?" Joey asked, pointing to Inu-yasha. He was so confused. Why had she lied to him?
"The necklace binds him to me. We're helping each other find the shards. I can see the shards, and when I locate them, he fights whoever has them."
"Then," Joey said, looking behind her, seeing a young man in dark robes, a girl dressed in old farming clothes, and a child with a fox tail coming up behind them. "Are those-?"
"Yes," she said, her voice getting quieter. "They're my friends, Miroku, Sango, and Shippo. They're helping us, too."
"Kagome," Joey said, looking at her again. "Why didn't you tell me any of this before?"
"I, " she said, looking down. "I couldn't. I want thngs to be normal with you, Joey. I have such a complicated life. I wanted things with you to be simple."
"Why? Kagome, look at me! Why didn't you-"
"Because I didn't want you to think I was a freak!" she said, looking at him in tears. "You wouldn't have believed me. You would have thought I was crazy or something. Now, you probably think I'm just some lying witch!"
"What? No! Kagome, I'd never think that of you," Joey said, lying himself. "Trust me, I've seen enough weird stuff in my life time to believe pretty much anything."
She looked at him, looking so guilty and sad, then, she put her arms around him, buried her head in his chest, and said, "Joey, I'm so sorry! Please forgive me!" He looked down at the top of her head, and hugged her back.
"It's ok. I understand." he pushed her away, just to look at her face as he wiped a tear from her cheek. "I mean, we've go some secrets, too."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"Then please," Sango interrupted, "Come with us inside, and we'll all have everything out in the open." The group began to head for the hut, Kagome walking with Joey. Her head rested against his shoulder as they walked arm in arm. Joey couldn't stop from thinking that she was an amazing girl.
'And she's mine', thought Joey.
"Hey!" yelled Inu-yasha from his immobile position on the ground. "What the heck are you doing?! You can't just leave me here like this! Hey!"
------------Scene Break-------------
As the day grew on into the afternoon, the new group of friends shared their stories, leaving out no detail. Soon, they all knew of Kagome and her friends' fight against the demon, Naraku, as well as the quest for the shards of the Shikon Jewel. And they also knew about Yugi's puzzle, the spirit Yami, and the on going quest to collect all the Millennium Items, and keep the world from plunging into chaos.
It was all very complicated on both parties, but once all the facts were stated, it wasn't hard to figure out what was going on. But Kagome was still amazed. She had feared that Joey wouldn't want to be with her anymore if he found out about her double life, but now she was relieved. They had more in common than she'd realized, and that just made things so much better! Plus, having her secret shared with others who she trusted was a huge relief.
In the late afternoon, they all sat together, eating some of the food Kagome had left behind from her last trip. She ate a cup of soup, and was sitting next to Joey. It would have been heaven if Inu-yasha wasn't on her left, and if Mai wasn't crowding Joey on their right. She knew she shouldn't have been worried about Mai, though. She figured out that Mai was the girl Joey had liked before they had met; the girl who broke his heart. And since Joey said he was over Mai, Kagome shouldn't have cared if Mai was with them. But she did care, a little. After all, Inu-yasha had told her he cared about her millions of times, and when Kikyo came back, he dropped her like a hot potato to go back to his first love.
But that was all a moot point. Joey wasn't anything like Inu-yasha. She trusted him, and she cared about him deeply. Nothing would spoil this for Kagome.
"You know," Tea said suddenly, "This place is really beautiful. I mean, all the trees, and the simplicity of the village. It's so different form our time."
"I know what you mean," added Tristan. "It's different from a place filled with buildings made of steel and glass."
"I would think that such a place would be magical," said Sango. "I've never heard of one having windows or doors made of glass untill Kagome told me what her world was like."
"I agree with Sango," said Miroku. "A time with such wonders is very intriguing to us. I would like to come to your time, someday. Especially to meet more angels, like Lady Tea and Lady Mai."
"Oh, no." whispered Kagome, slurping some noodles.
"What?" Joey whispered back.
"Just wait. He's at it again."
"By the way," said Miroku slyly, "I was wondering if either of you enchanting angels would do me the honor of bearing my child?"
"WHAT!!!!" screeched Mai and Tea. Tristan burst out laughing, Joey tried to hold back his snickering, and poor Yugi choked on his noodles. Everyone else was laughing as Tea and Mai immediately began hitting and kicking Miroku. Kagome was used to him asking girls that; it was his quirk. He was harmless, but it still made some women very angry. She stopped laughing, though, when she looked at Yugi. He was the Yugi from school again, though earlier he was the Yugi that was controlled by the spirit, Yami. She knew it was confusing and hard being someone's reincarnation. But she didn't have to deal with sharing a body with Kikyo. She was Kagome, no matter what. But Yugi had two parts f him, and neither was completely whole without the other. And to add to that, Yugi was obviously in love with Tea. Any girl can pick up on the vibe Yugi made when he was with Tea. But, remembering the other night at the club, Kagome wondered if Yami loved Tea too. And who was Tea in love with, if she loved either of them?
'Oh well', she decided. 'It's none of my business anyway.'
"Speaking of our time," little Yugi said, "how do we get home, Kagome? I figure that the Puzzle brought us here, but how do we go back?"
"It's actually easy," Kagome said, "Just go back to the well and jump in. If the Puzzle's magic made it work before, it should work now, too."
"Well, then," Yugi said, cleaning up from where he'd been eating, "We should be getting back. Our families must be worried sick."
"Okay," said Kagome, "I'll come with you."
"Wait," interjected Inu-yasha. "You just got here. Why are you going back now?"
"Because I have to make up the test you made me miss today, and I got to pack some supplies. We're almost out of extra food and first aid stuff. I'll be back tomorrow afternoon, like I'd told you before."
"Fine, but if you're late, I'm coming to get you. And I'd better not catch you goofing off with your new pretty boy."
"Hey," said Joey, getting mad.
"Both of you, back off. I'll come back, Inu-yasha, don't worry." With that, she and the other time travelers started walking to the well.
--------------Scene Break------------
After the teens from the future had returned to their time, Joey began to mull over everything that had happened. He knew Kagome needed to go back to the Feudal Era, but he was scared. They were up against such frightening and powerful beings; what would happen if she got hurt? Or worse. He couldn't bear the though of losing Kagome. It would tear him apart. He came to his decision as they were walking down the Shrine steps. But he couldn't keep his decision from his friends.
"Hey guys," he said, seriously. "I'm going with her."
"What are you talking about?" asked Yugi.
"When Kagome goes back in time tomorrow," Joey explained. "I'm going to follow her. I know you're gonna tell me that I shouldn't, but I care about her too much. I can't lose her.."
"We know, man," said Tristan.
"So if you're going, we're going." said Yugi.
"Really?" asked Joey. "But, you guys could get hurt, and- "
"Yeah," said Tea. "But we'd be the worst friends on earth if we let you go alone. Besides, we've beaten soul stealers and evil Spirits dozens of times. We can handle a few irate demons."
"But-" Joey started.
"Wait a sec," Mai interrupted, "I'm you're friend, too, Joey. I'm going too."
"But, Mai-"
"I know we have our past," she said, "But I also know that you've made your decision, and all I can do is support it. Besides, you think I trust you not to get killed? I'm going, and that's that."
"Wow," Joey said. All he could say to such loyalty was, "Wow."
--------------Scene Break--------------
Unseen in the forest, in the Feuding States Era, a menacing being had watched the entire episode that had played out. He heard all that these new time travelers had said, and knew their minds and hearts as well. He chuckled at the young fools. To bring such power here was a folly, for them. He knew the importance and the strength these Millennium Items would bring his Master, along with the Shikon Jewel. If he possessed all these things, he would be unstoppable. All the servant had to do was manipulate these pawns. Indeed, he didn't have to do much. The roots of jealously were already planted. All he needed to do was feed them. But first, "I must bring this news to the Master," he said retreated to the shadows.
---------------Authors' Note---------------
SirLarry: In early planning stages of this story, we decided to cut out the character Li Zhou, since this was a 'pilot episode' of what we had deamed 'The Chaos Series', and had always planned for the spirit of the Millennium Ring to be one of Naraku's evil reincarnations. But we thought that going that deep into the story would really spoil things, so we decided to leave that off for another episode.
Bluerain: Now that we've brought the concept back into the story, we hope things will make more sense, like why Li Zhou was sent to Egypt in the first place, and locked inside the Ring. Besides, we wanted to add something for you Bakura fans.
Now, it's 'Be Kind To Authors Day' so review! Please, we beg you!!!! Even if you don't like it, we want to know, so we can make it better! That's all we want!
Complicated
"Inu--yasha, you jerk! Put me down! I have school to go to!" Kagome yelled.
"Not with HIM you don't," Inu-yasha said, as he and Kagome jumped out of the well together.
She flailed her arms and kicked at his chest, threatening, "Inu-yasha, don't make me say the word!"
"Say it all you want," Inu-yasha said, grinning from ear to ear, "But I won't let that Joey guy marry you!"
"No one said we getting married!" Kagome screamed, blushing, "We just went out on one date!"
"Oh it starts that way," Inu-yasha growled just thinking about it, "But before you know it, you're having his kids, sitting around, getting fat, and not hunting Jewel Shards or feeding me Ramen!"
"You are so selfish!" Kagome yelled.
--------------Scene Break----------------
"Where are we?" Mai asked as she, Yugi, Tea, Tristan, and Joey looked around at the strange forest they were standing in.
"Is this real?" asked Tea, stepping forward, looking for any sign of the shrine that should be there.
"It's real, Tea," said Yami/Yugi. "I can't quite explain it, but I feel as though we are still in Tokyo, yet we aren't."
"Don't talk in riddles, man," said Joey impatiently. "We can't possibly be anywhere near Tokyo. Besides, we gotta save Kagome, and there's no sign of where that beast took her."
"There is, Joey," said Yami/Yugi, "We just can't see it. But I may have something that can help us." He took the back pack off his shoulders, set it down, and took out the Millennium Ring.
"How did you know to pack that?" asked Tea.
"When I woke up this morning, I felt that I would need the Millennium Items, so I packed them."
"We can use the Ring to find Kagome?" asked Tristan. "But, I thought only Bakura could use that."
"As Pharaoh, I have authority over all the Items," replied Yami/Yugi. "They're powers are mine to control."
"Well then let's stop flappin our gums and get goin." said Joey.
"We will, Joey. But if you plan to help her, you must calm down."
"Yugi's right," said Mai, "You can't go in fighting with no idea how you're going to beat that dog monster."
"Fine, I'll calm down," said Joey, shoving his hands in his pockets. His feet shuffling in urgency
"Alright," said Yami/Yugi. He closed his eyes, and calling up the ancient powers within him, he held out the Ring. "Millennium Ring," he said in a commanding voice, "Guide us to our friend Kagome. Help us find the right path!" Then, the prongs on the Ring pointed left, through the thickest part of the forest.
"This way!" said Yami/Yugi, going in the direction the Ring was leading them. The others followed close, but Joey was soon running beside Yami/Yugi. The Game King looked at his loyal friend, and saw the look of anger and determination on his face. He prayed that if they had to fight that creature, that Joey would be careful.
-------------Scene Break------------
Inu-yasha had taken Kagome back to the hut they all now shared near the forest. Shippo, Sango, and Miroku were glad to see her back, and Kagome missed them too, but she was mad at Inu-yasha. What he did was dangerous and stupid.
"Why did you do that?" she demanded the han-you.
"Fine thanks I get for bringing you home!" he shouted back. "We need you here to find jewel shards. Besides, you think I'm gonna let that sleaze bag back in your time have his hands all over you? He was pawing you before I got in there!"
"He was just holding my hand, and he was taking me to school! And he's not a sleaze bag! His name's Joey, and he's a nice guy!"
"Yeah right." Inu-yasha said sarcastically.
"He is," Kagome said again. "And what you did was stupid, Inu-yasha. You were acting just like Kouga!"
"What? I'm nothing like that mangy wolf!"
"Really? Then tell me, Inu-yasha, what does he do every time he sees you with me?"
"What I did was completely different! He grabs you and carries you off cause he thinks you're his woman. I did it cause- uh. Cause-"
"Uh huh?"
"D-----" Inu-yasha said softly. 'He realized I was right', Kagome thought. 'At least he's not a total idiot.'
"Well," said Inu-yasha, "It was all Miroku's fault!" he siad, pointing at the monk, "He's the one who told me to go after you."
"Oh really?" Kagome asked, looking over at Miroku. Sango justr crossed her arms, and glared at him, as if to say 'what were you thinking?'
"I was misinformed," Miroku said defensively,
"Whatever," Sango said, and slapped him upside his head.
"Joey thinks you kidnapped me" Kagome siad, getting back to berating Inu-yasha "Well, you're mom or somebody can tell him different. Then, when you go back gain, you can confirm it."
"What am I supposed to tell him?!"
"I don't know! Tell him he dreamed the whole thing!"
"He's not stupid, Inu-yasha. No one would fall for that!"
"Then you come up with something!"
"Inu-yasha, Kagome," said Shippo, tugging at Inu-yasha's pant leg.
"What!?" everyone yelled.
"There are people coming out of the woods. They're in weird clothes, like Kagome's. "
"What?" said Kagome. She went through the door, and saw Joey, Yugi, and the others coming out of the woods. She was beyond surprised to see any of them here, in Feudal Japan. How had they gotten there? Could it be they came through the well? But that was impossible! No one could pass through the well unless they were part demon, or had a Jewel shard.
-----------Scene Break------------
As they exited the forest, Joey and Yugi were surprised to see a village rising up before them. And standing in front of a hut, nearest to the forest, was Kagome.
"Joey!" she cried out, smiling, as she started running to him.
"Kagome!" Joey cried out, seeing her coming towards him. "You're okay!"
As they neared, Joey could not stop contain his relief. He vowed then and there to never let anyone come between them again. He would protect her from anything.
His joy was short lived, though. As they were mere feet away, Yugi shouted out, "Joey! Look out!"
"That monster's behind her!" screamed Tea.
Joey looked over Kagome's shoulder, and saw Inu-yasha charging at them, his claws extended. "Kagome, get down!" Joey yelled as he dove, and pushed her down, covering her body from Inu-yasha's attack, just barely missing those claws himself. After a minute, Joey rose a bit, and let Kagome sit up. He looked her over, checking for any sign of injury, and asked, "Are you okay? Did that thing hurt you?"
"I'm alright Joey." she said, looking into his eyes. "But, what-?"
"Hey!" shouted Inu-yasha. "What do you think you're doing on top of her?!"
"THAT DOES IT!" screamed Joey, getting up, guarding Kagome from this demon. "You can tear me apart, but as long as I breath, you won't get near Kagome!"
"Fine by me!" shouted Inu-yasha as he came charging again. Joey closed his eyes, prepared to meet his death, not regretting that it was for a girl like Kagome. Then he heard two voices shouting.
"Inu-yasha," said the male voice, "Stop this madness!"
"Kagome!" said the girl's voice. "Stop him!"
"SIT!!!" Kagome cried out. There was a loud thud, and Joey opened his eyes. Inu-yasha was face down on the ground, and couldn't get up!
"What happened?" he said, unbelieving that this beast was defeated, and that he was still alive.
"I told him to behave." Kagome said, getting up and putting her hand on Joey's arm. She looked up into his eyes again, and asked him sweetly, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, but," he said, looking from her to Inu-yasha, who was starting to get up, "How did you do that?"
"It's complicated," she said, "but basically, as long as he wears those prayer beads, I say a word, and he's subdued"
"How?"
"Darn it!" said In-yasha, on his feet again. "You know that kills my back! And what are you doing looking at her like that!"
"Like this," said Kagome. "Sit, boy!" With a flash and a thud, Inu-yasha was down again, groaning with pain.
"Whoa," said Joey, "cool."
"Sit, sit, sit, sit, sit, SIT!" Kagome said, forcing Inu-yasha deeper into the ground. "He should be stuck that way for a while."
"Joey!" hollered Tea. His friends were coming to them, as amazed as he was at what had transpired.
"It seems things were switched," observed Yugi, with a light chuckle. "We came with Joey to rescue you, Kagome, but You rescued Joey instead."
"I could have done that anytime," she said smiling
"Kagome," Joey said, pulling away a bit. "Did you know he looked like this?"
"Well, um," she said, looking down, "Yes."
"Then, why did-?"
"He was never a danger to you, was he, Kagome?" asked Yugi.
Kagome looked at them all, a look of shame and fear in her eyes. "No. He'd never hurt me." she said softly.
"Then why did he bring you here" Tea asked.
"Because," Kagome said, " He loves me." Then, she looked around at them, and continued, "I fell down the well, and landed here, in the Feudal Era. I released him from an enchanted sleep, so he could save this village from a monster. Then, I found out that a sacred Jewel was born inside me, and it could give power to anyone who possessed it. Then, when a demon tried to take the jewel, I accidentally shattered it, and now I have to find the shards, before someone else does and uses it for evil."
"But why are you with him?" Joey asked, pointing to Inu-yasha. He was so confused. Why had she lied to him?
"The necklace binds him to me. We're helping each other find the shards. I can see the shards, and when I locate them, he fights whoever has them."
"Then," Joey said, looking behind her, seeing a young man in dark robes, a girl dressed in old farming clothes, and a child with a fox tail coming up behind them. "Are those-?"
"Yes," she said, her voice getting quieter. "They're my friends, Miroku, Sango, and Shippo. They're helping us, too."
"Kagome," Joey said, looking at her again. "Why didn't you tell me any of this before?"
"I, " she said, looking down. "I couldn't. I want thngs to be normal with you, Joey. I have such a complicated life. I wanted things with you to be simple."
"Why? Kagome, look at me! Why didn't you-"
"Because I didn't want you to think I was a freak!" she said, looking at him in tears. "You wouldn't have believed me. You would have thought I was crazy or something. Now, you probably think I'm just some lying witch!"
"What? No! Kagome, I'd never think that of you," Joey said, lying himself. "Trust me, I've seen enough weird stuff in my life time to believe pretty much anything."
She looked at him, looking so guilty and sad, then, she put her arms around him, buried her head in his chest, and said, "Joey, I'm so sorry! Please forgive me!" He looked down at the top of her head, and hugged her back.
"It's ok. I understand." he pushed her away, just to look at her face as he wiped a tear from her cheek. "I mean, we've go some secrets, too."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"Then please," Sango interrupted, "Come with us inside, and we'll all have everything out in the open." The group began to head for the hut, Kagome walking with Joey. Her head rested against his shoulder as they walked arm in arm. Joey couldn't stop from thinking that she was an amazing girl.
'And she's mine', thought Joey.
"Hey!" yelled Inu-yasha from his immobile position on the ground. "What the heck are you doing?! You can't just leave me here like this! Hey!"
------------Scene Break-------------
As the day grew on into the afternoon, the new group of friends shared their stories, leaving out no detail. Soon, they all knew of Kagome and her friends' fight against the demon, Naraku, as well as the quest for the shards of the Shikon Jewel. And they also knew about Yugi's puzzle, the spirit Yami, and the on going quest to collect all the Millennium Items, and keep the world from plunging into chaos.
It was all very complicated on both parties, but once all the facts were stated, it wasn't hard to figure out what was going on. But Kagome was still amazed. She had feared that Joey wouldn't want to be with her anymore if he found out about her double life, but now she was relieved. They had more in common than she'd realized, and that just made things so much better! Plus, having her secret shared with others who she trusted was a huge relief.
In the late afternoon, they all sat together, eating some of the food Kagome had left behind from her last trip. She ate a cup of soup, and was sitting next to Joey. It would have been heaven if Inu-yasha wasn't on her left, and if Mai wasn't crowding Joey on their right. She knew she shouldn't have been worried about Mai, though. She figured out that Mai was the girl Joey had liked before they had met; the girl who broke his heart. And since Joey said he was over Mai, Kagome shouldn't have cared if Mai was with them. But she did care, a little. After all, Inu-yasha had told her he cared about her millions of times, and when Kikyo came back, he dropped her like a hot potato to go back to his first love.
But that was all a moot point. Joey wasn't anything like Inu-yasha. She trusted him, and she cared about him deeply. Nothing would spoil this for Kagome.
"You know," Tea said suddenly, "This place is really beautiful. I mean, all the trees, and the simplicity of the village. It's so different form our time."
"I know what you mean," added Tristan. "It's different from a place filled with buildings made of steel and glass."
"I would think that such a place would be magical," said Sango. "I've never heard of one having windows or doors made of glass untill Kagome told me what her world was like."
"I agree with Sango," said Miroku. "A time with such wonders is very intriguing to us. I would like to come to your time, someday. Especially to meet more angels, like Lady Tea and Lady Mai."
"Oh, no." whispered Kagome, slurping some noodles.
"What?" Joey whispered back.
"Just wait. He's at it again."
"By the way," said Miroku slyly, "I was wondering if either of you enchanting angels would do me the honor of bearing my child?"
"WHAT!!!!" screeched Mai and Tea. Tristan burst out laughing, Joey tried to hold back his snickering, and poor Yugi choked on his noodles. Everyone else was laughing as Tea and Mai immediately began hitting and kicking Miroku. Kagome was used to him asking girls that; it was his quirk. He was harmless, but it still made some women very angry. She stopped laughing, though, when she looked at Yugi. He was the Yugi from school again, though earlier he was the Yugi that was controlled by the spirit, Yami. She knew it was confusing and hard being someone's reincarnation. But she didn't have to deal with sharing a body with Kikyo. She was Kagome, no matter what. But Yugi had two parts f him, and neither was completely whole without the other. And to add to that, Yugi was obviously in love with Tea. Any girl can pick up on the vibe Yugi made when he was with Tea. But, remembering the other night at the club, Kagome wondered if Yami loved Tea too. And who was Tea in love with, if she loved either of them?
'Oh well', she decided. 'It's none of my business anyway.'
"Speaking of our time," little Yugi said, "how do we get home, Kagome? I figure that the Puzzle brought us here, but how do we go back?"
"It's actually easy," Kagome said, "Just go back to the well and jump in. If the Puzzle's magic made it work before, it should work now, too."
"Well, then," Yugi said, cleaning up from where he'd been eating, "We should be getting back. Our families must be worried sick."
"Okay," said Kagome, "I'll come with you."
"Wait," interjected Inu-yasha. "You just got here. Why are you going back now?"
"Because I have to make up the test you made me miss today, and I got to pack some supplies. We're almost out of extra food and first aid stuff. I'll be back tomorrow afternoon, like I'd told you before."
"Fine, but if you're late, I'm coming to get you. And I'd better not catch you goofing off with your new pretty boy."
"Hey," said Joey, getting mad.
"Both of you, back off. I'll come back, Inu-yasha, don't worry." With that, she and the other time travelers started walking to the well.
--------------Scene Break------------
After the teens from the future had returned to their time, Joey began to mull over everything that had happened. He knew Kagome needed to go back to the Feudal Era, but he was scared. They were up against such frightening and powerful beings; what would happen if she got hurt? Or worse. He couldn't bear the though of losing Kagome. It would tear him apart. He came to his decision as they were walking down the Shrine steps. But he couldn't keep his decision from his friends.
"Hey guys," he said, seriously. "I'm going with her."
"What are you talking about?" asked Yugi.
"When Kagome goes back in time tomorrow," Joey explained. "I'm going to follow her. I know you're gonna tell me that I shouldn't, but I care about her too much. I can't lose her.."
"We know, man," said Tristan.
"So if you're going, we're going." said Yugi.
"Really?" asked Joey. "But, you guys could get hurt, and- "
"Yeah," said Tea. "But we'd be the worst friends on earth if we let you go alone. Besides, we've beaten soul stealers and evil Spirits dozens of times. We can handle a few irate demons."
"But-" Joey started.
"Wait a sec," Mai interrupted, "I'm you're friend, too, Joey. I'm going too."
"But, Mai-"
"I know we have our past," she said, "But I also know that you've made your decision, and all I can do is support it. Besides, you think I trust you not to get killed? I'm going, and that's that."
"Wow," Joey said. All he could say to such loyalty was, "Wow."
--------------Scene Break--------------
Unseen in the forest, in the Feuding States Era, a menacing being had watched the entire episode that had played out. He heard all that these new time travelers had said, and knew their minds and hearts as well. He chuckled at the young fools. To bring such power here was a folly, for them. He knew the importance and the strength these Millennium Items would bring his Master, along with the Shikon Jewel. If he possessed all these things, he would be unstoppable. All the servant had to do was manipulate these pawns. Indeed, he didn't have to do much. The roots of jealously were already planted. All he needed to do was feed them. But first, "I must bring this news to the Master," he said retreated to the shadows.
---------------Authors' Note---------------
SirLarry: In early planning stages of this story, we decided to cut out the character Li Zhou, since this was a 'pilot episode' of what we had deamed 'The Chaos Series', and had always planned for the spirit of the Millennium Ring to be one of Naraku's evil reincarnations. But we thought that going that deep into the story would really spoil things, so we decided to leave that off for another episode.
Bluerain: Now that we've brought the concept back into the story, we hope things will make more sense, like why Li Zhou was sent to Egypt in the first place, and locked inside the Ring. Besides, we wanted to add something for you Bakura fans.
Now, it's 'Be Kind To Authors Day' so review! Please, we beg you!!!! Even if you don't like it, we want to know, so we can make it better! That's all we want!