- Chapter 2 -
The Encounter

One who kills, but now protects
One who was taught, but now teaches
One who fights, but now defends
- The Prophecy of Ages

Kagome woke up with her head pounding and her arms aching. It was a bit too blurry for her to see; her eyes were clouded with sleep.

She yawned and sat up as her vision returned, and she quickly saw that she wasn't in the Well anymore, the last thing she remembered. It

seemed to be a training hall of some kind, and according to the wall hangings, a kendo one. How did she get here? She felt a bump on

top of her head. She probably wouldn't. Who brought her there?

"Inuyasha?" she called. "Inuyasha, are you here? Where am I?"

She looked around some more, and saw some familiar faces lying on the floor beside her.

"Sango-chan!" she called, gently shaking her. "Sango-chan? Wake up!"

But she didn't, although Kagome was relieved that she was breathing. She was probably still knocked out.

She sat up and got to her feet, getting a better look at her surroundings, when she heard something that made her turn around just fast

enough to catch a glimpse of a lock of red hair disappear behind the open doorway. She was on it like a hound, and quietly snuck to the

doorway. With a loud "Hyaaa!" that successfully woke up her sleeping friends, she found herself on top of a scrawny man; the owner of

the hair.

"Just WHAT do you think you are doing!" she heard a voice say above her, as she looked up and saw a girl not much older than her in a

pale yellow kimono standing over her with an angry look on her face. "I want some answers NOW!"

"That's my line!" said Kagome, who was staring into the woman's eyes, but still not getting off the man. "Where am I? Who's he? Who're

you?"

The woman sighed.

"Just get offa Kenshin, PLEASE?"

"Oh, Kenshin's his name, then?" said Kagome, picking herself off the ground. "Sorry 'bout that. I'm Kagome, by the way. Where am I?"

"The Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu dojo," the girl replied. "And I am Kamiya Kaoru, assistant instructor here,"

"Ooh," said Kagome. "Interesting,"

"I found you outside the gates of the dojo," said Kenshin, who was now conscious and pinching his bleeding nose. "How did you get

there?"

"I haven't a clue," said Kagome. "Well, I guess you should be introduced to my friends, here,"

"Yes, I agree," said Kenshin. "But it's pretty late, and Kaoru-dono just finished making dinner when she went to investigate with me. Why

don't you join us?"

"Indeed," said Miroku, who had rather nimbly snuck behind Kagome without anyone noticing. "You may call me Miroku,"

"All right, then," said Kenshin cheerfully. "Lets all go eat now,"

"That sounds great!" said Miroku. "I'm starving,"

"Food sounds like a good thing now," said Sango, who stood next to Kagome and was eyeing Miroku. "We can explain everything later,

but where's Inuyasha?"

"Inu-yasha?" Kaoru repeated. "That's an outlandish name,"

"It's a lovely name!" Kagome retorted, causing her face to turn bright red.

"Oh, I see!" said Kenshin with a pleasant smile. "I see he is a friend of yours. Well, there wasn't anyone with you when I found you,"

"Oh," said Kagome, crestfallen.

"Don't worry," said Kaoru. "We can talk about it over dinner. Right now, let's eat!"

"Here here!" came five, eager replies.

-/-

"I never saw a monk without a shaved head before," said Sanosuke as he took a bite of rice. "Man, you must be a rebel or somthin',

hmm?"

Miroku scowled, but Sango nudged him in warning, and he quickly calmed down.

"Well...he's a bit of an...unorthodox monk, y'see," said Kagome. "Mmm! This stuff is great!"

"Oh, I see. Glad you enjoy it," said Kaoru, blushing. "It's really not that hard to make,"

Kagome nodded, and took another rice ball, while Yahiko scoffed. Sango gave a smile and yawned.

"Listen, I'm tired. Do you have any guest rooms we could stay in for the night?"

"Yes, there is one down the hall. Miroku, you can use my room," said Kenshin. "and the women can sleep together. There are plenty of

futons,"

"Thank you for your hospitality," said Sango, and followed Kagome and the others out of the room.

"Okay, what are we gonna do?" said Kagome, as soon as they were in the security of the guest room. "We're stuck in the Meiji era,

and-"

"Meiji era?" said Sango and the others at the same time. Kagome sighed.

"It's the time just before my time," she said. "The not-so-distant past for me, and the kinda distant future for you. It's like, during the

Industrial Revolution or something like that,"

"Oh, I see," said Miroku, who was still confused.

"Anyways," said Kagome. "I can't sense any shards at all, and I don't know where we are,"

"Pretty dire..." said Sango. "Where do you think Inuyasha is?"

"That swordsman said that we were alone," said Miroku. "So he's obviously not in this area,"

"Guys, I think that we won't be able to go back," said Kagome, biting her lip. "I don't know where the Well is. We weren't found in it or

by it, so that complicates things. We could be KILOMETERS away!"

"Yes, I believe it does," said Miroku, secretly wondering what a kilometer was. "We should do what's logical, and stay here for a while

with these kind people, and try to adjust for the time being,"

"You know, that sounds like a good idea!" said Kagome. "And who knows! We could find the Well along the way, and go home!"

Miroku and Sango nodded together.

"So, tomorrow morning, I think I'll go get a better look at where we are with Kaoru-san. She said she had to do some shopping before

we ate tonight, so I'll offer to go,"

"Yeeeeaaahh, that sounds like a good idea..." yawned Sango. "Boy, am I tired... Let's get some sleep; it's been a long day,"

"I agree," said Kagome. "Miroku, scat! Outta here!"

With a blown kiss good night, Miroku left like a true gentleman, so the girls sighed at him and curled up under their futons.

"G'nite, everyone!" said Kagome.

"Say, Kagome?" said Sango sleepily as she closed her eyes.

"Hmm?"

"What's a kilometer?"

- Next -
The Reunion