Claimer: I own Shiraume Shiratama, not to mention this whole story line. So please no copying.

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, or any of its stories or characters. So don't sue cause I never said I did and you'll lose.

Auhtor's Pre-Notes: Evil here, I'm coming back from a pretty long hiatus so l I just wanted to say hi and explain a few things before we got started. First off, yes this is my first Inuyasha Fic but I am well versed in the ways of Inuyasha. Now with that said I have to be totally honest with you, if you go for the completely hard-core true to the series facts, this may not be the story and I may not be the author for you.

I tend to do whatever I want, within reason mind you, so you don't have to worry about any really off the wall things coming from me, but I just wanted to warn you that I don't really play by the rules. It just isn't my shtick.

Anyway I had wanted to introduce myself to you with a pure Inuyasha story without any major add-ins but . . . . that didn't really work. Alas, I tend to work best with my fics when I add in my own character. It's my way of really getting involved into my stories- instead of just bending the will of our fav characters and playing with their poor little lives, which in itself IS very fun. However- still isn't not my favorite way to mess with them.

So again if you're not into original characters my stories may not be the best things for your sanity. But if you go with the flow, like me and hope to have a good time- keep on reading my friends because I guarantee it's going to be interesting.

TYPO WARNING: I just typed it through and I've read it to many times since then to be a good judge . . you know how it is . .thanks

Onto the words . . . .

"I wish they would stop fighting," Shippo whimpered from his place atop Sango's shoulder, who walked beside Miroko and Kirara. Inuyasha and Kagome very noisily bringing up the rear.

"It's not my fault wench!" Inuyasha shouted.

"Not your fault!! You threw me into a tree! I'm just lucky the only thing you did was rip my shirt!! You could've killed me!!" she yelled back trying to hold the torn fabric up and cover her shoulder.

"Feh," Inuyasha mumbled turning from her.

"Would you two be courteous, we aren't the only ones traveling this road!" Miroko advised.

"Huh?" They both said looking up suddenly noticing a person on horseback riding up the road in front of them.

"So," Inuyasha snorted.

"Oh you're impossible," Kagome groaned rolling her eyes.

Inuyasha was about to say something in reply when Kagome jogged up to walk next to Sango.

"Look at that horse. Have you ever seen anything like it?" Sango whispered to Kagome.

"No," she replied looking at the creature before her. It was a beautiful animal, larger than any horse she had ever seen. Its coat looked as if it was made of crushed velvet and although appeared to be black, upon closer inspection one could see a rainbow of colors within the hide, reflecting in the light beautifully. Its powerful legs were covered in longer hair that just barely let one see the great copper color of its hooves.

Kagome then looked up at the rider. The person's head was covered with a common weaved hat for the era making it impossible to see the rider's face. Its clothing, however, made it clear that it was a woman. Her garments were of brilliant black silk with detailing and needlework that a princess would lust to wear. The style however was unique, more like a dress that the customary kimono of the area.

"And look at her gi!" Kagome whispered her discovery to her companion.

"I am," Miroku replied mischievously quickening his pace to catch up to the traveler.

"Oh no," the women groaned running up to stop him.

"Hey wait for me!" Inuyasha shouted annoyed, realizing everyone had left him behind.

"Sorry about my companions miss, they just-" Miroku started with his characteristic charm but he quietly gasped letting his mouth fall open slightly as she turned to him. His reaction was soon echoed by Sango as she caught up behind him.

"What?" Kagome asked looking at the woman and back at her friends. Even Inuyasha stared at the woman in the same surprised manner.

'What is going on? She's just a normal woman,' Kagome thought studying her carefully. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. She had light chestnut hair and blue eyes--dark blue eyes like the night sky, she mused; and her skin was pale. But not pale like hers or even Kikyo's. It was a different tone of white all together, but that wasn't strange, it was just because .  .

'Oh!' Kagome suddenly realized looking at the woman's eyes again. She had totally forgotten that she was in 'feudal' Japan, not that she didn't realize what time she was in, just that life really was different here- that Caucasian people weren't a commonality or really known for that matter, 'not yet anyway,' She remembered, reminding herself of how much she needed to study on her next visit home.

'This must be the first time they've ever seen someone like her. . . . Well this must be awkward." Kagome thought compassionately for the woman.

"Hi my name is Kagome, sorry if we disturbed you," she said bowing slightly.

Her friends looked at her surprised. Shippou looked up nervously at the woman from behind Kagome's knees.

The woman smiled and bowed back, "No, I found it quite refreshing to hear the normal sounds of people again, please . .  call me Shira," she said her velvet voice sending a warmth through the group.

"She doesn't even know them and she realizes the fighting is normal," Shippou whispered to Miroku.

"I heard that!" Inuyasha growled.

Shippou shrieked jumping up into Kagome's arms and sticking his tongue out at him.

Kagome was about to scold Inuyasha when she was suddenly distracted. She sensed something and looked around for the source, her gaze drifting back to Shira as she redirected her attention back to Miroku..

"Would you mind if we traveled with you Lady Shira?" Miroku asked cordially, regaining his characteristic manners.

"I would very much appreciate the company," she smiled.

"We should be moving," Inuyasha snorted walking out in front of them, his arms crossed and his eyes closed.

"We are  moving Inuyasha, don't be so antisocial!" Kagome snipped, looking back to Shira with a pleasant smile.

"Feh,"

"So where are you traveling to Lady Shira?" Miroku asked as they continued up the dirt road.

"I don't know, ahead," she said with a soft smile playing on her lips.

"Ahead?"

"Ahead, the only reason to turn back is for something behind you . . and who wants to bring up something that's already behind you . .That is unless it's something you really want." She smiled ironically, "So I'll travel ahead, there's no reason for me to turn back." She said getting a bit somber at the end.

"That's very wise Lady Shira," Miroku observed.

She just smiled softly, perhaps holding something back.

Inuyasha suddenly got very quite, thinking about what Shira had said. It made sense.

'Why go back for something if you didn't want it? Then why did he always go running back to Kikyo, did he really still love her? She was his past, his identity, who would he be now. . ? '

Kagome watched Inuyasha out of the corner of her eye as he brooded unaware of her concerned stare, unaware of anything.

They continued on for a bit, engaging only now and then in some small talk about the scenery and such. It wasn't until Shira interrupted the silence did the strangeness begin to fade.

"I heard you say you ripped your shirt earlier. I could mend that for you if you'd like," Shira smiled at Kagome.

"Really? That would be wonderful, thank you," Kagome said slightly surprised, having been so pleasantly brought from her thoughts. She was still very distracted and perplexed by the vibes she was sensing.

"We can rest while she does that. It's about time for lunch anyway-" Miroku said.

Inuyasha opened his mouth to protest.

"I bet Kagome will make you some ramen Inuyasha," he said quickly anticipating his displeasure.

Inuyasha quickly shut his mouth and walked off the road sitting himself cross legged on the grass.

Miroku smirked, the girls rolled their eyes.

"You can pet him if you want," Shira said startling Shippou, causing him to almost fall from his perch on Kagome's shoulders, where he had been watching the large creature with interest.

He cautiously reached his hand out and touched the soft hide. He smiled.

"He's really soft,"

"And I bet he likes that, don't you?"

The horse snorted throwing its large head up and down.

They laughed.

"He really is beautiful," Kagome said.

"And he knows it too, how about a ride Shippou?" she said looking at Kagome who nodded.

"Really?"

"Yes, we'll trot right over to where you're friends are preparing lunch."

"Ok sure!" He said jumping into her arms. She set him on her lap and placed the sash-like reins in his small hands.

"Ready?"

He nodded.

"Let's go," she said gently nudging the animal with her heel. He sped up circling wide in front of them and back to the group, Shippou bouncing happily in Shira's lap until they came to a stop just before Kagome. He smiled widely.

"Wow you should try this Kagome, it's great! Thanks Shira!"

"You're welcome," she laughed as he jumped off into Kagome's arms, hugging her around the neck.

"Let me help you Lady Shira," Miroku said helping her down from the horse.

"Thank you Monk,"

"Miroku," he said finding himself intrigued by her unique beauty.

"Thank you Miroku," she said again, "You'll have to excuse me though I believe I have a shirt to mend," she smiled turning to Kagome. She handed her a folded garment.

"Wouldn't want you out there for all to see . ." she said motioning over to Miroku and Inuyasha.

Kagome nodded and pulled on the robe slipping her own shirt off without notice and handing it to the woman.

Kagome looked down at what she was wearing as they sat on the grass. It was a beautiful midnight blue color with gold embroidery all over it, in elaborate zodiac looking designs.

"This is gorgeous," Kagome gasped.

"Thank you, I made it," Shira smiled pulling a needle from her sleeve.

"That's amazing!"

"My father taught me when I was very little," she smiled a nostalgic look on her face.

Kagome nodded her mind wandering to what a woman of her descent was doing here in the first place but before she could say anything Shira spoke.

"So judging from this garment you're not from around here," She smiled gracefully stitching the shirt.

"No, I'm actually-" she looked at her pausing and then chuckled at the strange 'turning of the tables.' Even in this situation she was the outsider.

Shira smiled almost knowingly, "from the twentieth century," Shira finished a bit of humor in her tone.

"How did you know?" Kagome said shocked

"I read the tag on the shirt," she stated simply

"But how did-"

"I had my own little run in with the future once,"

"You did?"

"It's a long story and at the same time very unimportant," she laughed  breaking the end of the thread and handing the shirt back to Kagome. "There now, all fixed."

"Thank you," Kagome said quietly, taking it, unsure what to really think of the mysterious woman.

"Thank you," Shira smiled.

"Kagome! What about my ramen!"

"OH!! GIVE ME JUST A MINUTE!! INUYASHA!!" she growled turning toward him.

Shira stifled a chuckle. Her face suddenly changed though as her hand moved to her forehead hidden beneath her hat. She stood motioning for her horse to come to her.

"Well thank you all for the company but I must be going," she said.

"Huh?" Kagome said turning back from her bickering with Inuyasha.

"Oh Shira!" Shippou whined.

"Why not have some lunch with us first?" Sango offered.

"Yes Lady Shira please join us, there is safety in numbers," Miroku said standing.

"Thank you, you've all been so kind, but no. I really must be on my way. I wish you well on your journey." She said mounting her steed.

"She looks familiar . . ," Myouga muttered to himself.

"What was that?!" Inuyasha growled

"Nothing Nothing Master Inuyasha,"

"Likewise Lady Shira," Miroku said.

"Goodbye,"  she said turning to go when she looked back suddenly, "Goodbye Inuyasha," she smiled, a strange smile he just couldn't place, and then sped off out of view her copper hair blowing out behind her.

"Hmmm," Myouga said his eyes narrowing on the woman.

"Oh I liked her, she was pretty," Shippou pouted.

"So did I Shippou, so did I," Miroku sighed

"Do you ever stop Monk, ever?" Inuyasha quipped

"Nope,"

Sango and Kagome just groaned.

"Come on we have to hurry if we're going to find that jewel shard before night fall."

Kagome watched after where the woman had faded into the distance. That feeling was fading fast, what had she been sensing?

Author's Post Notes: Hmmm . .I guess that was ok . .it's a start .. thanks for reading. And please I'm one of those author's who thrives on feedback so please review. I really appreciate your input . .not to mention . . .

Reviews are motivating . . .. . . . . for chapter II . . .