A/N: Here it is, chapter 2! After much brainstorming with my agent/spin doctor (luv ya Cat!), and a whole lotta writer's block, it's finally finished! Hope you all enjoy this chapter, and don't forget to tell me what you think.

This is thought

"This is mind to mind speak"

"This is English"

"This is Japanese"

Chapter 2

Sylvia sighed in frustration as she sipped her lukewarm coffee, absently scribbling doodles on her napkin. It had been almost a month since her arrival in Tokyo, and she had had no luck in finding the girl from her vision. When she got to her hotel on the first day, she immediately went to the astral realm to tell Hecate that she had arrived. The Goddess was apparently feeling charitable that day, as she divulged more specific information on the girl.

"Her family owns a shrine." The Goddess had said.

"Well, I'm not going to complain, that's a lot more information than I had a moment ago. I don't suppose you would be willing to tell me the name of this shrine by any chance?"

"No, I believe I have been more than generous. Farewell my shaman." And with that the Goddess had disappeared, leaving Sylvia alone in the realm.

Knowing that there was nothing for it but to search, she bought a map, using it to find all the shrines. Unfortunately, Tokyo had proven to have ten shrines of various size and fame scattered throughout the city. Unenthusiastic at the thought of visiting every shrine until she found she right one, she sat at a table outside a small coffee shop loitering the day away, waiting for a better plan of action to come to mind.

As she sat, however, her luck changed. Four school girls came walking up the sidewalk, and Sylvia's mental alarms went off. She looked up, and her inner eye quickly zeroed in on the one. She had long hair, and she seemed to have gifts similar to her own. The two made eye contact only for an instant, but in that time their spiritual powers went on auto-pilot, one 'scanning' the other, searching for evil intentions. Then, just as quickly, their connection broke, and the girls walked on. Okay, I've found the girl. Now what the dickens am I supposed to do about it? she thought, watching helplessly as the girl walked away. I guess all I can do is follow her for a bit and see if I can find the shrine her family owns… With that, she left some money on the table and left the cafe, quietly following the girls.

"Kagome, are you coming with us to McDonalds?" asked one of the girls.

"Sorry, I can't," replied the girl with long hair. "I'm so far behind, I need all the time I can get to catch up on my homework!"

"Alright, we'll see you tomorrow then…" Then, much to Sylvia's relief, the girls parted company, three of them walking up one street, and Kagome walking down another. Ace! She's alone…well THAT thought wasn't the least bit stalker-like. She continued to follow the girl at a fair distance, far enough that the girl wouldn't suspect anything, but close enough for Sylvia to see her.

It turned out to be a good thing that Sylvia followed her that day, because in an instant, filthy hands grabbed the girl by her hair and clothes, pulling her into an alley. Without taking a moment to think, Sylvia was running, adrenaline and anger fueling her movements as she reached the narrow alley, running in, soon finding the culprits. The girl was surprisingly aggressive, hitting the three men who had surrounded her with her rucksack and scolding them furiously.

"Hey!" shouted Sylvia. The three men turned around, grinning maliciously when they saw that she was only a woman. "Why don't you pick on someone your own age?" With that, she charged at them. Two of the men tried to grab her arms, but she was expecting that long before they moved. She dropped on her hands and swung her legs around in a wide arch, tripping them both simultaneously. One of the men knocked his skull hard on the concrete, instantly slipping into unconsciousness. She sprang to her feet, watching the third man nervously. He was big, standing nearly a foot taller than Sylvia, with shoulders twice as broad as her own. He sneered and charged at her, attempting to pin her arms to her sides. She ducked, punching him numerous times in the stomach in a rapid motion. He dropped to his knees, choking out, "Damned bitch!"

"Look out!" cried the girl. But it was a moment too late, Sylvia turned around in time to see a fist clobber her in the side of the face. She cursed loudly, and stumbled back against the wall. The tallest of the three men got back to his feet and grabbed her by the shirt collar, backhanding her across the face and splitting her lip.

"Bear…give me your berserker strength…" It only took a moment for the raw power of the bear to give Sylvia her second wind. She roared angrily, forcing the man back and high-kicking his jaw, sending him careening into the side of a building and knocking him out. There was only one man left, and his nerve was rapidly disappearing. He went to run, but Sylvia grabbed him by the back of his shirt, pinning him against the wall glaring at him and baring her teeth. She must have looked quite dangerous at that moment. Her split lip had bled profusely, leaving her mouth a grizzly mess, and a black eye made the whole side of her face swell, making it look as if she were cocking an eyebrow, daring him to try and run, the way a cat teases a mouse before snapping its neck.

"Give me one good reason I should let you go, just one, I dare you," she said, her voice dangerously quiet.

"C-c-come on lady! I-I-I didn't wanna do it! Th-th-the boss made me!"

"You really expect me to believe that!" she growled, shaking him roughly and bringing her face close enough for him to smell the blood on her lips. "You're scum…you're worse than scum…violating girls with one foot still in the cradle…why should I even let you live?" The man was noticeably trembling now, and the stench of urine filled the small space. She looked down and saw a growing dark patch on his already filthy pants. She sneered in disgust and threw him down on the ground.

"You disgust me. Get out of my sight." With that he stumbled to his feet and ran as if the hounds of Hades themselves were at his heels. She watched him go, then stumbled back, leaning against the other wall for support. With the danger gone, Bear's strength had left her, leaving her drained and sore. The girl ran to her side, resting a hand on Sylvia's shoulder.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

"As good as can be expected…I am far too reckless at times…" Sylvia replied, taking a handkerchief from her pocket and putting pressure on her bleeding lip. "What about you?"

"Oh I'm fine, you got here before they could lay a hand on me. How can I thank you?"

"Don't worry about it, I wasn't looking to be repaid. I'll be on my way now..." Sylvia began to walk away, but the girl grabbed her by the arm, saying, "No way! You're hurt, and it's my fault! I've got a really good first-aid kit at home, at least let me take care of that split lip."

"I don't know if there's much you can do, but if it will make you feel better..."

"It will. Come on. My name's Kagome. Kagome Higurashi."

"Sylvia Grant." After a fifteen minute walk, the two were in front of the shrine.

"Well, this is home!" said Kagome with a smile.

"THIS is the shrine she lives at? If I'd known that she was so close by I would have started shrine hopping sooner!" Sylvia grumbled.

"Huh?"

"Sorry…uh…I said I've never seen a shrine this big before."

"Oh. I guess it is kind of big…but anyway, lets go inside." The girl led Sylvia past the shrine to a decent-sized house behind it, opening the door and running in.

"Mom! I'm home!" Sylvia looked around, taking off her shoes. It was a typical Japanese home, wooden floors, sliding paper doors, and low ceilings. As she slipped off her jacket, Kagome poked her head through a door.

"Come on, the kitchen's this way!" she said with a smile. Sylvia followed her down the hallway and found herself in a spacious kitchen that felt warm and inviting. A taller woman stood by the stove and turned around, jumping back in surprise.

"My word! What happened to this poor woman?" she asked, looking from Kagome to Sylvia warily.

"She got hurt saving me," replied Kagome. "Go ahead and sit down Sylvia, I just need to go get my first aid kit." Sylvia nodded and sat down at the low table.

"You saved my daughter? What happened?" asked Kagome's mother, sitting down across from her.

"She got pulled into an alley by a few thugs and I happened to be in the right place at the right time," she replied, dabbing at her mouth with her handkerchief. Her lip was throbbing, and every time she opened her mouth to speak, it would start to bleed again. A moment later, Kagome returned with a huge first aid kit and sat down next to Sylvia, tending to her injuries. A young boy came in shortly after his sister, staring at Sylvia in awe.

"This is bad, but I've seen a lot worse," said Kagome, taking disinfectant swabs and medical tape out of the kit. How could a little school girl have seen worse? she thought. A sting from the disinfectant and two little strips of tape later, Sylvia's lip was taken care of. The whole time, the little boy stared at Sylvia in wonder. She noticed this, and gave him a half smile, not wanting to split her lip again.

"I can tell from your accent that you're not from Japan, where are you staying?" asked Kagome's mother curiously.

"Was it only from my accent that betrayed me?" asked Sylvia, attempting to grin but deciding against it. "I'm staying at the Akasaka Excel."

"How long are you planning to stay here?"

"Ah…well, I'm here doing research…I'm staying for about a year."

"My word! You'll be out on the street in a matter of weeks if you keep staying there! You'll stay here with us from now on."

"Oh no, I couldn't do that, I don't want to impose…"

"Nonsense! We have room, and I owe you my daughter's life, this is the least I can do to repay you."

"But---"

"Not another word."

"Yes ma'am. Thank you for your hospitality." Sylvia bowed formally to show her respect. "Is there at least something I could do around here to pay for room and board?"

"I really isn't necessary, but if you feel you must, there is work you can do around the shrine on the weekends, if you have time."

"Oh, I've always wanted to work at a Japanese Shrine!" said Sylvia excitedly.

"WOW! You spoke English!" said the Boy, speaking up for the first time. "Say something else!"

"Prince Charles is evil incarnate."

"What does that mean?"

"Ah…it's poetry, sort of like haiku."

"COOL!" Sylvia laughed at the boy's enthusiasm. A while later, Kagome tapped her on the shoulder and said, "Can I talk to you outside?" She wore a knowing look, and Sylvia nodded solemnly, following the girl out to the back yard. She was surprised to see a huge tree, and she could feel that something important happened there in a time long past.

"Why are you really here?" asked Kagome with a grin, sitting down on a bench under the shade of the great tree. "I can tell that you're not evil, but I know that you're here for more than 'research'." Sylvia smiled. She knew the girl had powers, but she didn't think that she had any idea how to use them.

"You are smart, Kagome. That will serve you well," said Sylvia, sitting down next to her. "What I told your family is partially true, I am a Historian at Oxford, and I got the dean at the University to extend my…uh…shit, what's the word? Oh, bugger it…off time by telling them that I wanted to write a book on the History of Japan, and I will have to do it if I wish to keep my tenure. But, the truth is, I am a shaman, and my patron Goddess has told me that there is a dimensional rift somewhere in this city, and that you are the key to finding it. It is my duty to close this rift, or else it will cause an imbalance in the realms." At that point the girl got a funny look on her face. "Oh, don't worry, I had nothing to do with those thugs, I would never do such a thing to anyone. It is the shaman's duty to heal, not to harm. I can sense that you have powers similar to my own, and strong ones at that. I must say, I am impressed. It took me years to develop mine."

"Thanks, but I can't take any credit. I'm supposed to be the reincarnation of a priestess named Kikyou, the powers are hers, not mine."

"You can remember your past lives?" asked Sylvia with surprise.

"No, I…uh…it's complicated. I think I know the dimensional rift you're talking about…but you can't close it, not yet."

"My goddess has a tendency to give very cryptic information, but I was told that there was some sort of trouble that needed dealing with before the rift could be closed. It is my duty to help in any way I can. Would you fill me in on what we're dealing with?"

Kagome proceeded to tell her about the bone eaters well, the Sengoku Jidai, the Shikon no Tama and of Kikyou and Inuyasha. Sylvia listened intently, captivated by the trials this young girl had had to face.

"Fascinating…simply fascinating. It seems you'll need all the help you can get. The next time you go, I'm coming with you."

"That could be a problem…so far only Inuyasha and I have been able to go through the well."

"I think I will be able to, and if I can't the first time I try, there's a ritual I can do to get me through. When do you plan to leave?"

"In a few days, if Inuyasha doesn't come to get me sooner," said Kagome jadedly.

"Very well, I'll go get my things from the hotel and make preparations."

Over the next few days, Sylvia got better acquainted with the Higurashi family. After she found out that they all knew about Kagome's visits to the Feudal Era, Sylvia told them about her true intentions, and the admiration the little boy seemed to have for her tripled.

When the day came, for the first time in years, Sylvia was nervous. She stood before the well, a large rucksack on her back, her heart racing. Kagome came out a moment later with her family, giving each of them a hug. Sylvia stayed off to the side, not wanting to interrupt, but then, much to her surprise, Sota came up behind her and tugged lightly on her loose black jeans. She looked down at him and smiled.

"Um…I uh…I got this for you…" he said, looking away shyly and holding up a small charm. She took it from him and saw it was for protection. Her heart nearly ripped in half, she was so touched. She knelt down and embraced the boy tightly.

"Thank you Sota, I know that this will serve me well." He returned her embrace, and as she reluctantly let go of him, she saw his face had turned bright red, but he looked delighted that she appreciated his gift. Then Kagome's mother approached her and hugged her tightly, saying, "I know that I don't need to tell you to be careful, you fight evil beings all the time. But please, watch over Kagome for me." Forcing back tears, she replied, "I'll guard her with me life."

"Ready to go?" asked Kagome, standing by the entrance to the well and smiling excitedly.

"Y…yes." The two walked down the stairs, and Kagome straddled the side, saying, "Just in case, brace yourself for the fall, but if it works you won't feel any impact. I'll wait for you on the other side for about ten minutes, if you don't make it by then I'll come back for you and we can try going through together." Sylvia nodded, and watched as the girl jumped down into the well, and was enveloped in a bright blue light. She looked down into the well a moment later, and the girl was gone.

"Shit on a stick…" she muttered. Her heart raced and she mimicked Kagome's movements, sitting with her legs dangling over the edge. Well…no point in sitting here like a twit…one…two…THREE! With that, she closed her eyes and pushed herself off the ledge, bracing herself for the impact. But there was none. She felt a slight tingling sensation, and then she felt as if she were floating. Cool air caressed against her skin and she opened her eyes to find that she was enveloped in that same bright blue light. A moment later, her feet gently touched down on the ground, and she looked up not to see the ceiling of the shed that contained the well, but blue sky, and thick green vines grew on the side of the well. She gulped loudly, and took hold of the vines, beginning her climb. Well…this is it. I've made it…now what dangers will I have to face?

A/N: Thanks for reading, don't forget to review!