By. Seelin
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha and Co. but they just happen to be pawns in my story.
Everyone: Pawns?
Yes, pawns.
Sango: What do you mean by that?
I mean that I can make you do what ever I want, when I want.
Miroku: Can you make me touch Sango?
No.
Sango: You hentai! Don't touch me!
Come on Sango. We'll go ask Kaede to make you some prayer beads for him.
Miroku: Wait...What?
Chapter Two:
Dreamland
The sound of birds was the one thing to wake Amaya. Dazed, she sat up and looked around. At first she had trouble remembering where she was but then, when she felt a lump begin to form on her head, she remembered that she had fallen into the old well. Muttering curses she looked for a way out of the well. She looked up and saw the shrine, and around the shrine was a small glow. There was no way out of the well. Amaya yelled for help but there was no one around to hear her. She was stuck at the bottom of a well. 'I'm going to stuck down here forever,' Amaya thought. 'Mom won't get home for a while and dad's gone to America.' She then began imagining what would happen if her mom worked for a few days and she was left down there to rot. Not happy with her circumstances she began to yell and scream, hoping that a passerby would hear her pleas for help. She waited a few minutes to see if she was heard, but no one came. Finally she yelled her lungs out, "HELP!"
Luckily for Amaya, her last call for help was heard. It was a young girl around the age of fifteen years or so who was within earshot of Amaya. The girl was tall for her age with almond eyes and long black hair, which was tied, loosely behind her back. Curious, she walked over to the shrine. It was fairly new, having been erected about ten years ago. It seemed normal enough. The only thing odd about the shrine was that no one came to it. The girl opened the shrines door and looked about. There was no one there. Convinced that she was hearing things, the girl turned her back and started to leave.
"Hello, is someone out there?" a voice called.
The girl, surprised to find anyone other than herself in the shrine, turned back to the well where the voice seemed to have originated. The girl peeped down into the well and caught sight of a girl dressed in strange clothing.
"How did you get down there, Miss?" the girl asked.
Amaya looked up at a face peering down at her. "I fell. Please, there's no way out of here. Can you help me?"
The girl nodded, "Hold on, I will fetch a vine."
"Ok, hurry. I'm starving," Amaya called back.
The girl left the shrine in search of something long and sturdy enough to support the strange girl's weight. To her avail she found a vine hanging loosely off a tree branch. The girl had to jump to reach it but was successful in her attempts. She deemed the vine worthy and carried it, slung over her shoulder, back to the shrine. She entered the shrine and neared the well.
"Step back, I'm lowering the vine," The girl said.
Amaya stepped back and sure enough a long vine was lowered down into the well. She tugged on it to make sure it was secure.
"Be patient please. I'm tying it off so that you may climb up," the girl chided.
The girl tied the end of the vine around the bottom of the well since there was no other sturdy object to support someone's weight around. She then looked back down into the well assuring the strange girl that it was all right to climb up.
Amaya tugged on the vine again, just to be certain that she wasn't going to fall back down into the well once she neared the top. She then began her climb up the vine and out of the well. The girl reached out her hand to help Amaya out.
Amaya sat on the edge of the well and looked around. This shrine wasn't the shrine she remembered. It was cleaner and had lighted candles decorated about the room. She looked at the girl and arched an eyebrow.
"Uh, why are you dressed up like that?" Amaya asked.
The girl looked down at her clothing, "Like what?"
"Like a shrine priestess," Amaya stated.
The girl stifled a giggle, "I am a miko. I thought it was just your clothing but you are a strange girl."
Amaya looked at her clothes and shrugged, thinking that a skirt was a little weird for her tastes.
"My name is Aiko," the girl said bowing.
Amaya laughed, "You're for real about being a miko? My name's Amaya."
Aiko nodded, "Yes, I am really a miko. That is a pretty name, Amaya. It means night rain."
"Yeah, I know." Amaya said. She looked around the shrine, still confused about it's new appearance. "Well, it was nice meeting you Miss miko. But I have to wake up from my dream now."
Aiko gave Amaya a strange look, "Dream? This is no dream."
Amaya smiled, "Sure it is. The shrine's really old and dusty. Plus," she said looking outside, "there isn't a forest outside it either."
"I'm sorry Miss Amaya, but this is no dream. Maybe you hit your head on your decent." Aiko informed her.
Amaya rubbed the lump on her head. "Uh huh. That's nice, but this is a dream and as soon as I wake up you'll disappear."
Aiko, annoyed with Amaya's story of a dream world, walked over to her and gave her a hard pinch on her arm.
"Ouch!" Amaya cried. "What was that for?"
"That proves that this is now dream but reality. You need to learn how to differentiate between the two," Aiko said tersely.
Amaya crossed her arms on her chest and gave Aiko a mean look. "Fine. If this isn't a dream then where am I?"
"We are just outside of my village," Aiko answered. "Where are you from, if you aren't from here?"
"I'm from Tokyo. My house has a shrine behind it; that's where I was. Instead of a forest there are streets and other houses."
"I've never seen a place such as the one you described." Aiko said.
"What do you mean you've never heard of such a place? That's how it looks everywhere." Amaya looked at Aiko confusedly. "Next thing you know you'll say that you've never seen a car."
"A car?" Aiko tilted her head. "What's that?"
Amaya looked shocked, "You're kidding, right?"
Aiko looked around, "No, I do not kid."
Amaya laughed nervously, "Ok, maybe you're not kidding then. So, what year is this?"
"We are currently in the Feudal Era," Aiko stated.
Amaya walked outside and looked around a bit, "Huh. Feudal Era you say? I've read about that. Samurais and stuff."
Aiko followed her outside, "You have no idea Miss Amaya. I think it would be best if you followed me to my village."
She gestured her had towards the village's location and began to walk ahead, intending Amaya to follow. Amaya stood there for a second and followed Aiko closely. They only made it a little ways before Amaya gasped and stopped.
Aiko quickly turned around, "What is it Miss Amaya?"
Amaya walked over to the huge tree she knew so well. "This is the tree from my house, near the shrine. Wow."
Aiko eyed Amaya warily, "Come Miss Amaya, we must hurry."
She quickened the pace, leaving Amaya staring at the tree in disbelief. She had to run to catch up with Aiko. Aiko glanced back over her shoulder at the girl. 'This must be the one they always told me about. She wears strange clothing and has strange manners. It must be her,' thought Aiko. 'I wonder how she has retained her youth, and where her memories have gone.' Her thoughts were interrupted when Amaya let out a volley of questions.
"How old are you Aiko?"
"I'm fifteen."
"Wow, I just turned sixteen. You seem young to be a miko."
"I've been trained since I was a child, no older than five."
"How come no one visits the shrine?"
Aiko paused, "I alone attend to the shrine. Villagers feel that the place has a bad aura about it. The elders...they have bad memories of it. It is my duty to keep the candles lit in honor of a passed friend." She continued walking her quick pace.
"You seem very lonely. Don't you have any friends?" Amaya asked, keeping up with the estranged miko.
"Being a shrine maiden requires a high quantity of patience and solitude," Aiko answered solemnly.
Amaya caste her gaze down upon the forest floor as she thought about the girl's misfortune. She then quickly brightened up. She ran in front of Aiko and her arm out in front of her, gesturing for Aiko to stop. "How about I be your friend? Everyone needs a friend."
Aiko smiled at Amaya's kind gesture. No one had offered to be her friend. Because being a shrine maiden required so much concentration, the villagers kept their children away from her. They did it in respect for her position. Above all, Aiko was a little surprised but nonetheless enthused about the offer. "I accept your offer Amaya."
They continued their way to the village side by side, each asking one another questions about themselves. Along the lines of favorite colors and other things that Aiko had never heard of. So, Amaya explained them all to her.
They reached the entrance of the village a few minutes later as Amaya was explaining the functions of a radio. Amaya stopped and took the village in. It was strange to her. There were houses lined up along a dirt road with villagers doing daily chores and children chasing each other merrily. Aiko led the way into the village. Amaya followed her silently as villagers paused to look at her. They began to mumble to one another, which made Amaya quite uncomfortable. She turned her gaze so that she looked at nothing but the road ahead of her.
Aiko stopped at a house that was larger than the others. She pushed the sliding door aside and gestured for Amaya to go inside. Amaya walked into the house, followed by Aiko. They both stood at the entrance waiting. Aiko didn't go any further into the house and Amaya figured that it would be rude to do so as well. A second later a middle age woman ran out from another room with her arms outstretched.
"Aiko! It's been a long time," said the woman excitedly. She finished hugging Aiko and turned to face Amaya. She stared at her for a moment before speaking. "You look so familiar, and you wear clothing similar to that of..." she stopped.
Aiko grabbed Amaya's hand and introduced her, "Mama, this is Amaya. Amaya, this is my mother Sango."
Amaya bowed politely. Sango still eyed her with suspicion. "Where are you from Amaya? Judging from your clothing you are not from this village."
Amaya shook her head, "No, Sango. I'm from the future. Or at least I think I am. It still seems as if this is a dream."
Sango gasped. "You, you're from the future you say? How did you get here?" she asked excitedly.
Aiko answered for her, "I found her in the well Mama. Like the girl you told me about. I thought she might be her so I brought her to you."
Amaya was more confused than ever, "Wait, what girl? What are you guys talking about?"
Sango grabbed Amaya by her arms and looked pleadingly into her eyes, "Do you, by chance, know a Higurashi Kagome?"
"She's my mom." Amaya said coolly. "How...how do you know her?"
Sango let go of Amaya's arms and walked to the middle of the room and sat down. She gestured for the girls to do the same. "Tell me of your mother."
"Well," Amaya started, "she's a doctor and she's married. That's pretty much all there is to tell."
Sango looked a little disappointed, "She never told you about us, about this place?"
Amaya had a shocked look on her face, "So you're saying she was here?"
Sango nodded, "I don't understand why she did not tell you. I still don't even understand why she left so suddenly and never came back." Sango then began to look at the ground and didn't speak anymore.
Aiko filled Amaya in on where her mother had left off. She told Amaya everything that her mother had told her so many times. She told her of the shikon shards, the quests, the friends they had made, and...Inuyasha. Amaya soaked up everything Aiko told her. Sango sat listening to a story being retold.
"I never knew that my mom led such an exciting life. I always thought that she was just an average person," Amaya said.
The reed door was pulled aside by a man who had a monk's attire. Aiko ran over to him, "Father, you've returned home."
Sango got up off of the floor and rushed over to her husband, "Miroku, you've been gone to long this time. I hope you exterminated the demon properly, or will I have to go and finish the job myself."
Miroku laughed nervously, "No, I think I took care of it." He glanced over Sango's shoulder at the guest in his house, "Who's this?"
Sango smiled, "That is Amaya, Kagome's daughter."
Miroku's face brightened, "Kagome's daughter? Has Kagome finally returned?"
Sango's smile faded into a frown, "I'm afraid she hasn't."
He walked over to where Amaya sat on the floor, "How did you arrive here?"
"I fell through the well. It was boarded shut and had seal scrolls all over it." Amaya answered.
"I feel as though she didn't want anyone to come in or get out," Sango said.
Present TimeKagome arrived home at about twelve that night. She sighed and walked into the house, hoping that Amaya would still be awake so that she could talk to her. Kagome ascended the stairs and entered Amaya's room. No one was there, which was extremely odd. She checked the bathroom and after that, every room in the house but there was no sign of Amaya. Kagome was frantic with worry. She then remembered the shrine and that it was one of Amaya's favorite places to sneak out to.
She ran out to the shrine and found the shrine's door open. She ran inside and looked around but no Amaya. Then something caught her eye. Little crumbled pieces of paper were scattered on the floor which meant one thing, that they had been removed from the well. She ran over to the well's edge, finding that the boards had been broken. Kagome sat down with her back to the edge of the well. She was hyperventilating. All of her memories of the past, things she didn't want her daughter to know, her daughter would find all of these things out. Then the memories of wandering demons ran through her mind. Amaya didn't know anything about demons or their ways. Kagome realized what she had to do. And that was to descend into the well and find her daughter, before something else found her first.
Gathering her courage, Kagome jumped into the well. She passed through time into the past, the Feudal Era.
Feudal EraKagome was nervous and shaking. She had a hard time climbing the vine due to her sudden feeling of weakness. She assumed that Amaya used the vine when she arrived here. She wondered who had helped her, a friend or foe. She noticed the shrine that was built around the well. She gave a small smile, knowing it was in her honor.
Kagome ran towards the direction of the village of her memories. The distance seemed shorter than she remembered. When she got to the village's entrance, she slowed her pace to a walk. The villagers pointed and exclaimed at the sight of her. One of the villagers ran to a large house at the center of the village. Kagome hoped that her daughter was here and not in the clutches, or the stomach, of some scheming demon.
She figured that the large house belonged to a village elder since a villager had run there to inform the residents of her arrival. She wasn't surprised to see her daughter walk out of the house, but was surprised to see two of her old and dearest friends follow her.
Sango walked a few steps towards Kagome before giving a questioning glance. Kagome smiled and had tears rolling down her face, "Yes Sango, it's me. Kagome."
Sango ran over to her and slapped her hard on the cheek. Kagome turned to face Sango in shock at her sudden, violent action. Before she could respond she was in Sango's embrace. Sango cried silent tears, "Why Kagome? Why did you leave us?"
Kagome returned the embrace full heartedly, "I'm so sorry Sango. I...I had no choice."
Miroku ran over and hugged Kagome as well. He too asked about Kagome's sudden departure from their time. Aiko came out of the house and watched as old friends were reunited with Kagome.
Sango straightened herself out, "Kagome, I'm married to Miroku now! And over there," she said pointing to Aiko, "is my daughter. She is a miko as you were."
Amaya and Aiko walked over to their mothers. Kagome grabbed Amaya and squeezed her tightly. "You most likely know that this is my daughter."
"Yes, Aiko found her in the well," Miroku explained.
Kagome was in disbelieve over Sango and Miroku's union. She only remembered a letch and a demon exterminator. But now they seemed to be a happy couple. Sango's curiosity got the better of her, "Who is your husband? Amaya's father?"
Kagome had a downcast gaze and looked at Sango with a smile, "Do you remember Hojo?"
Sango laughed, "Oh, the boy who was always pining over you? I never thought you two would hit it off. Especially after Inuyasha."
Sango had hit Kagome's soft spot but Kagome refused to show her weakness towards him. "Speaking of which where is he?"
"He left after you disappeared. I've heard tales of him gathering the remainder of the shards," Miroku informed her.
"Oh, well where's Shippo?" Kagome asked.
"He used to live with us until not to long ago. He's on a quest to find Inuyasha now that he's older. He left about two years ago," Sango said.
"And Kirara?"
"I sent her with him. To keep him safe."
Miroku grabbed his daughter's shoulders. "Let's go inside, we all have much to discuss."
They all followed him into the house where they regaled each other with stories of their lives. Little did they know that the scent had caught the nose of a familiar half dog demon.
---Finished. Well, with the chapter anyways. Please review to it!!! Tell me what you think!!!
Inuyasha: Finally, you brought me into the story. Bought' time wench.
Haven't you experienced my wrath already?
Inuyasha: Payback's a bitch, bitch!
Miroku: Inuyasha, watch your language. There are children present.
Shippo: Yeah! I could learn from your bad habits.
Inuyasha: Shut up brat! As for you monk, you have no right to talk, grabbing women.
Shippo: Kagome, Inuyasha's picking on me!
Kagome: Inuyasha! Sit boy!
Next Chapter: Inuyasha catches Kagome's scent and finds that she has returned, but not alone. Kagome tells her secret to Sango.