Chapter Two: Getting To Know You…

Sara rolled over fitfully. For some reason she couldn't move very much. She felt trapped. She cracked one eye open slowly. No wonder. She was tangled up in a sheet. Ugh…I must have had a nightmare. My head feels like someone dropped a hammer on it! She tried to sit up but it was as if someone had stuck a knife in her rib cage. She let out a strangled yelp and fell back on her pillow.

"Hey. You okay?"

She opened both of her eyes and saw a pair of amber ones staring back at her. Startled, she tried to scoot backwards, but only succeeded in bending over in pain again.

"Hey, stop moving! You're gonna hurt yourself!" Now she recognized this guy. Her memory returned and she glanced at him warily.

"You…I remember…what happened? Where am I?" she stammered. She didn't recognize this place. She was laying on the ground on a mat. The floors were made of old wood and the walls were covered with traditional wall hangings like she had only seen in museums. They were so beautiful…the most beautiful she had ever seen. The color was much richer and less faded than the ones in the museum.

"This is the castle of some lord who agreed to let you rest here. He has a staff of pretty strong healers who have been taking care of you while you were unconscious."

"How long was I out?"

"About three days."

"What! Oh, that's great." Sara laid there in a dazed irritation. Three days…her parents must be worried sick. She sat up suddenly. "My parents! They don't know where I am!" She clutched her sides and groaned.

"I TOLD you not to move, damnit! Geez, don't you listen?" The dog boy grabbed her by the arm, supporting her. After a moment, the pain eased and she relaxed a little. She looked up at his face, her eyes giving him a silent thank you. "What's your name?" she asked.

"Inuyasha," he replied. He got that weird look again. "You said something about a girl who traveled through time. What were you talking about?"

"My great-great-grandfather told these amazing stories to all of his kids and grandkids and even great-grandkids. I never knew him…he died when my dad was just a little boy. The stories were about his sister who used an old well to travel back in time to fight demons. There, she met and fell in love with a brave dog warrior with a fang sword. I assume that's you," she said.

He nodded. "Yeah…that's pretty much how it was back then…who was this great-great-whatever-grandfather of yours?"

"He was my grandfather's grandfather. And his name was Sota Higurashi."

Inuyasha smiled a little. "Yeah, that was her little brother. He was always following me around, asking if he could hold my sword or go with me to fight a demon. Kinda annoying really."

Sara giggled softly. "What?" he asked accusingly.

"Oh nothing. It's just…I can't believe all those stories were true. I grew up wanting them to be real so badly, and now they are…" She looked him over quickly. "But this happened almost 80 years ago. You still look like you're just a bit older than me. How is that?"

He grunted. "I'm a demon. We don't age like you humans do."

Sara gasped. "A demon?" She didn't remember that being part of the story.

He glared at her. "Yeah, what of it?"

Her face reddened faintly. "Uh, nothing." She averted her eyes downward. "…Um?" she started uneasily.

"What is it now?" he demanded. He followed her gaze and realized he was still holding her arm. He dropped it quickly and scooted away from her. "Geez, you're so damn pathetic. A few bruised ribs and you can hardly sit up. You're just like—"

He cut off suddenly, and lowered his face, his bushy hair covering his eyes.

Sara debated a long time before asking her next question. "Um, Inuyasha?" she began slowly. "The part in the story about you and that girl- Kagome- is it true? Did you fall in love with her?" she asked softly.

He didn't move. He didn't make any indication that he heard her. He sat with his legs and arms crossed, looking away from her at the floor.

Just then the paneled door slid open and three girls scurried inside. "Oh good. You're awake," Teresa sighed.

"You feeling better?" Sadie asked, kneeling by Sara and feeling her forehead.

"Uh, yeah, why?"

"You look flushed. Do you have a fever?" Katie asked concernedly. Sara only got redder at this.

Inuyasha stood up. "I'm going outside," he announced gruffly and proceeded to practically slam the door behind him.

"What's up with him?" Katie wondered aloud.

Sara looked at the door sadly. I should have known better than to ask…it really was kind of a personal question now that I think about it. She sighed. "So, where are we exactly? Inuyasha didn't really do the best job explaining."

"Inuyasha?"

"Yeah, that's his name. Didn't he tell you?"

Sadie shrugged. "We didn't ask. We were too concerned about you."

"Well anyway, this huge place belongs to a really powerful lord. One of his servants was traveling through the woods looking for firewood when he saw us and listened to our story," Teresa explained. "He offered the medical care of his master's healers and led us here. The lord graciously accepted us in and the healing women immediately got to work on you."

Sara just noticed that she was wearing a simple white kimono, one normally used for sleeping. "Oh…I can feel the bandages now. They did a good job, despite the lack of technology and medical science."

Sadie looked concerned. "That's why we want to get you home as soon as possible. You need proper treatment."

Sara looked hurt. "But…but we just got here. Can't we stay for a while? I mean, how many other girls get the chance to go back in time? We should at least be able to experience this!"

"But you need real doctors and medicine! These people don't know anything past what they see with their bare eyes!" Sadie argued. "For all we know, there could be more to your injuries than just bruised ribs!"

"You don't give these people enough credit, Sadie," Sara said, slightly hurt at the bashing her almost-native people were receiving- and from her best friend. "I agree that they might not have the best medical knowledge, but they do a great job with what they do have."

"Then you'll come back home and go to the hospital?" Katie asked hopefully.

Sara considered her wild interest in exploring this new world vs. the throbbing pain in her side. "Well…how about if we spend just a few days here, see what there is to see, and then go back home? That way we'll all get what we want."

"I believe that will be the best idea, miss," said a voice from the doorway.

The girls turned around and saw a man standing silhouetted in the door. He was tall and thin and was dressed in a very regal looking kimono (I really don't know what else those things are called! I think the pants are called hakama, but that's it! if anyone knows the proper name please let me know!). He had straight, silky black hair that was pulled back into a ponytail that fell to the middle of his back. His eyes were light brown and were soft and kind looking. He smiled graciously and bowed his head slightly. "I hope I am not intruding, but I felt obligated to see how my injured guest was faring." He walked slowly over to the girls, carrying himself with a regal and confident air. The four girls couldn't help but blush.

"Am I interrupting?" he asked with a smile.

"N-no, no, of course not," Sara stuttered, his warm smile only making her blush more. He was so handsome…

"Then may I sit? I would like to ask some questions of you."

"Sure, go ahead!" Sadie said eagerly, scooting over to make room for him. He sat down with his legs folded. Katie, Teresa, and Sadie rearranged so that the five formed a little circle.

"Forgive me for eavesdropping, but I am inclined to agree with your suggestion," he said, nodding his head in Sara's direction. "I must insist that you stay here for a time while you heal. Traveling any great distance wouldn't be wise for you."

"I appreciate your concern," Sara said, bowing her head in respect. "Forgive me, but I don't know your name…I assume you're the lord of this castle?"

He looked surprised for a moment. "How very rude of me! Yes, I am the lord of the castle, since my father passed away last year." The girls each expressed their sorrow at his loss. "My name is Hiruka Takeo. And the rest of you…?"

"Sadie."

"Katie."

"Teresa."

"Sara."

He looked at them quizzically. "You aren't from this land, are you?"

"No, we aren't," Teresa admitted.

"You have very odd names," he said, with the utmost respect in his voice, to let them know he wasn't offending them. "Where are you from?"

The girls looked at one another, unsure of what to say. 'We were dragged back in time through a well' doesn't exactly make for a good first impression.

In the end it was Katie who saved the day. "We, um, are travelers from…across the ocean," she stammered.

"Across the ocean? Really?" he asked, interested. "How fascinating. What is the name of your land?"

"America," Sadie replied quickly.

"Hmm." He sat in thought for a moment, his eyes directed towards the floor. "I've never heard of it. You must have come a great distance."

"You have no idea…" Katie mumbled.

"Pardon?"

"Oh, nothing!" Katie insisted quickly.

"So tell me," he said, looking at Sara, "how were you injured so seriously? My servant said he found the four of you wandering around in the company of a demon. Since the demon was carrying you, he assumed that he was the one who had done it. That's why we were reluctant to let him in."

Inuyasha? Carrying me? Sara wondered curiously. Did he actually help me? I thought he hated me… "Oh…it was a demon, but not Inuyasha. It was a giant snake demon, and it threw me around a bit and crushed my ribs."

"Oh, you poor girl…do you have any inclination why?"

She looked at the wall blankly. "No…it said something about taking something from me, but I don't have any idea what."

He nodded solemnly. "So…this Inuyasha, the demon you arrived with, he is not dangerous?"

"To be honest…I don't really know. We've only just met him," Teresa admitted. "But since he helped rescue Sara from the snake, I trust him pretty well I guess."

"Oh, he is the one who saved you?"

"Yes…if it weren't for him, I would be dead," Sara said, shivering slightly.

"Well then, I must thank him later," the young lord said with a flashing smile. Sara looked away, blushing furiously. Sadie and Katie tried hard to suppress giggles.

"Um, Lord Hiruka?" Teresa asked tentatively.

"Please, call me Takeo," he insisted pleasantly.

"All right, Lord Takeo," Teresa said, refusing to be so informal, "are you sure you don't mind us staying here? We would like to stay by Sara, to make sure she's okay."

He laughed. It was a kind, hearty laugh. "Why of course! There is plenty of room in this huge castle. Sometimes I feel it is too big and empty. Actually, it will be nice having some new company…especially such lovely company as yourselves."

The girls giggled with flattered embarrassment. A man came strolling in through the door. "Milord," he said boredly.

Lord Takeo turned around with a slightly annoyed look on his face. "Yes?"

"The messengers you sent to the west are back. They said they had good news."

Lord Takeo sighed deeply. "Unfortunately, my ladies, a lord's duty beckons me away for the moment." He stood to leave, and the girls (except Sara, who could hardly sit up as it was) stood with him. "Please excuse me. I shall return when you are feeling better." He made his way over to the door and glanced back. "Get some rest," he said. It was either a stern request or a kind command. He smiled that handsome smile at Sara and softly shut the door behind him.

Sara didn't need a mirror to tell her she was red as an apple. The other girls giggled and plopped back down beside her. "Looks like you have a not-so-secret admierer!" Sadie said slyly.

"Yes! He obviously likes you," Teresa said, smiling giddily.

"Gosh! He's so handsome! I'm jealous," Katie said, propping her chin in her palm.

"Y-ya think?" Sara said, though it was kind of obvious to her too. Or maybe it was just his job as a young man of power to be charming and flirtatious. Either way, she really liked the attention.

"Well, gorgeous or not, he's right. You need rest. So get yourself back down on that pallet and hop to it," Sadie commanded, gently pushing her friend down to the floor and covering her with the blanket.

"But I just woke up!"

"Uh-uh. Not another word. We'll be back in a little while," Katie said, standing up and heading to the door.

"You really do need the rest," Teresa said in a calming tone. "We'll come back with some food later."

"Ugh." Was all Sara had to say. The girls slid the paneled door open and found themselves face to face with a pair of wide amber eyes. Blinking confusedly, they watched in bewilderment as the dog-eared boy went red in the face, turned up his nose, and stomped away, muttering something about "weak pathetic humans and their emotions." Pretending they hadn't seen a thing, the girls crept out silently, leaving poor little Sara staring at the ceiling, bored, in pain, and suddenly very hungry.

…TWO DAYS LATER…

"How on earth am I ever going to get out of here!" Sara's groan of frustration echoed through the large hallway of the empty castle. She had been wandering around the corridors for almost half an hour and she couldn't find her way back to her room. "All I wanted to do was stretch my legs and look for something to eat! I should have just stayed where I was and starved…" Never had she been in such a large place. She was about to turn around and try to retrace her steps…again…when she heard something.

It sounded like a voice…whoever it was sounded like they were in pain…or angry. The shouts were coming from directly in front of her. Sara hesitated. Should I go see what it is or just turn around? I mean, it really is none of my business…but what if someone is hurt? Finally her curiosity won the fight and she crept slowly forward, the voice getting louder. She found the door from which the shouts were emitting and carefully pressed her ear to the door. She heard more angry shouts, and several loud thuds. A swishing sound followed the yells. Becoming more and more curious, Sara gulped and slowly slid the door open a tiny crack.

She could barely see anything. Just an empty room. She opened it a bit more…then a bit more…suddenly her hand slipped and she grabbed on to the door for support, pushing it all the way open loudly. Letting out a terrified gasp, she jumped backwards and clamped her hand over her mouth.

In the room, there was a man with his back to her. He was in a kenjutsu training outfit. He turned slowly to face her…It was Lord Takeo. He was looking at her in shock. He had a wooden training sword gripped tightly in his hands and he was panting heavily, his face glistening with sweat. He cleared his throat nervously. "Umm…may I help you?"

Sara was beet red in the face, her hand still over her mouth. "I'm so sorry! I really didn't mean to, honest! I just got lost and I heard something and thought I would find someone to help me…" she rambled on and on apologetically.

"It's okay, calm down," he said in a placating voice, slowly lowering the bokken and walking towards her. "Slow down and tell me what's the matter."

She looked away from him, embarrassed. Great, I just made a huge fool of myself! She took a deep breath. "I, um, left my room to get some exercise and to look for some food…I was getting sort of hungry…and I got sort of lost and then I couldn't find my way back to my room. That's when I heard you in here and…" she trailed off slowly, looking at him. "What exactly were you doing, anyway?"

He looked down at himself. He smiled a slightly nervous smile. "My apologies for looking so disheveled in front of you. I was just practicing my kenjutsu it's good exercise and it helps me to relax."

Sara looked in fascination at the wooden sword in his hand. She had often read about kenjutsu in her dad's old history books when she was little. She remembered her father trying to show her some of the moves in their living room, and the quick trip to the chiropractor later that afternoon. She had always loved to watch the old tapes of her dad's kenjutsu class. This must be where the modern version of it originated… she thought in awe.

He noticed her intrigued look. "Are you familiar with kenjutsu?" he asked.

Sara looked up. "Um, well a little. My father used to practice it some before I was born, and he told me about it. It's really fascinating."

He smiled. "Would you like to watch me practice?" he offered.

Her eyes lit up. "C-can I? You wouldn't mind?" she asked excitedly.

"Of course not. I'm almost finished, anyway. I don't really have a lot of time for this with all my duties now that I'm the lord of the Hiruka castle, but the time I do get is really helping me." He turned and assumed a fighting stance. "I get so stressed sometimes, it feels like I could just run away and never come back. But I couldn't do that to my people…the servants here are like my family." He stopped suddenly and looked around at her. "I'm sorry, am I rambling? I didn't mean to bore you."

Sara shook her head. "Oh no, not at all. It's nice to have someone to talk to. I'm alone most of the day in my room."

He smiled. "Well, we'll just have to fix that, won't we?" Sara grinned back. "If it's all right, I would like to come and visit you more often. I could use the company also."

"That would be nice," Sara said quietly.

"Good. It's settled then. Please, make yourself comfortable. I'll show you some of the techniques I use to relieve stress." He got into another position and began doing some rhythmic swings with his bokken.

Sara walked across the room and was about to sit down on a little mat in the corner when she saw some wall hangings and a display of several types of swords. She walked over to them and picked one up carefully. It was heavier than she expected.

"Those were my father's," Takeo said proudly. "He taught me everything I know."

"Wow…" Sara muttered in awe.

"Yes…he was a master swordsman and sword smith. He made every single sword he ever used."

Sara looked up quickly. "Really? That's amazing! He made all these, too?"

"Yes, he did. I only use ones he made as well. It makes me feel close to him even though he's gone." He walked over beside her and picked up one of the swords, whose hilt was decorated with silver that was twisted into curls and waves. "This one's my favorite. It was the last sword he ever made…before he fell suddenly ill. These silver patterns here represent the rise and fall of many Hiruka lords, but the silver represents their impact on the land, because it doesn't tarnish very easily."

Sara was watching his face with wonder. He got such a heavenly, far-off look in his eyes when he talked about his father. He must have loved him very much…

"That's so amazing…I wish I could leave a lasting impression like that. I don't really have any special talents…" she said.

"That can't possibly be true!" he said. "Someone like you has to have an extraordinary array of talents and abilities."

Someone…like me? What does he mean by that? she wondered. "Um…I didn't mean to interrupt your practice, you can continue," she said, deciding to change the subject.

He looked towards a window. "It's fine. I probably need to be stopping soon anyway. They will be wondering what happened to you as well. Would you like me to show you back to your room?"

"Yes, please. I'd much appreciate it," Sara said gratefully.

"Just let me get cleaned up…I'm sure I look a fright." He laid down his bokken and walked into an adjacent room. Sara heard some splashing water and assumed he was rinsing off and changing into clean clothes.

She went over to his wooden sword and picked it up. She gripped it tightly in her hands like he was doing earlier. Trying to mimic his stance, she swung the bokken forcefully, then brought it back down. She liked the way it felt in her hand. She felt sort of silly and knew perfectly well she wasn't doing it right, but she was having a bit of fun for the first time in ages. She started traveling across the room, swinging the wooden sword rhythmically, her feet moving randomly. She started seeing it as kind of a dance and began exaggerating her movements like a choreographed dance. She closed her eyes and felt the swooshing of the sword and the movement of her body fill her up and sooth her. This must be what Takeo was talking about…

Something told her to open her eyes. She did and saw Lord Takeo standing in the doorway, staring at her with a slight twinge of amusement. She froze in mid-swing. She let out a nervous giggle and smiled awkwardly. Suddenly, with a twist of her torso, she felt her ribs practically cry out in pain. She moaned loudly and fell to the floor, clutching her sides tightly.

"Lady Sara?" Lord Takeo asked urgently, rushing to kneel beside her. He put his arms around her and helped her to sit up. She was breathing heavily and with a bit of difficulty. "Are you all right?"

Sara gulped back a whimper and nodded weakly. She completely forgot about her bruised ribs. She felt so helpless and weak all of a sudden. He pulled her in close to him. She rested gently against his chest, feeling his arms around her protectively. Her heart began to beat faster and she slightly forgot about the pain.

"You probably shouldn't have been moving around like that. Your injuries are still fresh; you have to give them time to heal." He patted her back lightly. "But I have to admit, I was quite enjoying myself watching you."

Sara blushed a bright red. "I…didn't think anyone was looking…I feel so foolish. Don't laugh at me!" she said accusingly, noticing he was chuckling.

"I'm not making fun of you! I actually thought it was very good. You are quite graceful." He smiled a dashing smile and Sara had no choice but to forgive him. He looked across the room, in deep thought, for a few moments. "Would you…" he began slowly. "…would you like me to teach you kenjutsu?"

Sara sat up and looked at him curiously. "What? Me, really?"

"Sure. Traditionally, women aren't supposed to learn, but I think you can do it. Once you heal properly, that is." Sara grinned sheepishly. "It will have to be secret though…if anyone here found out that I was teaching a woman the ancient sword arts, we would both be in a huge amount of trouble. Do you think you can do it?"

Sara nodded vigorously. "I would be so very honored to learn it. Especially from you, since you had such a great teacher."

He bowed his head in appreciation. "All right. When do the nurses come to check on you?"

"Before and after every meal, and sometimes during the afternoon. Why?"

"We shall have to plan a time to meet every day so I can teach you. We'll work around them, and your friends. I'll think of something and come tell you tomorrow."

"Thank you…" was all Sara could say. She was having one of those "all my dreams are coming true!" moments.

"HEY WOMAN! WHERE ARE YOU?"

Lord Takeo and Sara nearly jumped twenty feet in the air as the loud shout boomed through the hall. A silver-haired head peeked in the door and then the whole body marched right in behind it. "There you are. I've been looking all over for you."

"Inuyasha?" Sara blinked in confusion. "What are you doing here? I thought you left."

He pouted. "No, I just left to get something to eat. I'm not done with you yet, woman."

Sara pouted this time. "I have a name you know. And it's not 'woman."

Inuyasha suddenly got that weird look on his face again. That's…that's exactly what Kagome said to me when we first met… he thought sadly. She acts so much like her…it's so weird…like she's still here with me…

Lord Takeo waved his hand in front of Inuyasha's face. "Are you okay?"

Inuyasha snapped out of his little world and slapped Takeo's hand away rudely. "Yeah, I'm fine! Come on, let's go." He grabbed Sara's arm and pulled her up, taking her with him as he strolled out of the room.

"Inuyasha!" she cried, stumbling along behind him. "What are you doing? That hurts! In case you don't remember, I have bruised ribs!"

He stopped walking so fast and loosened his grip. "Sorry," he grunted quietly.

"What was so important that you had to drag me away like that?" she asked.

"Well, I…um…wanted to ask you about your family. Like what all happened after Kagome left," he sputtered out quickly.

"Oh…well…sure I'll tell you. But will you tell me more about your adventures with Kagome?" She was eager to hear more detail about what happened. What really happened.

"Oh…sure I guess…" He wasn't sure he was quite ready to talk about Kagome yet…maybe hearing about her family would help him get started though. Looking behind him at the girl's face, he saw clearly things that reminded him of her. This girl had Kagome's eyes. They were green instead of brown, but they had that gentle, caring warmth that Kagome's had. She talked like Kagome, acted like Kagome, was about as tall as Kagome…

He noticed Sara was giving him a strange look so he turned back around quickly. But not quickly enough. He walked right into a closed door, smashing his nose and causing him to cry out in pain. His hands flew to his nose and he began cursing violently under his breath.

Sara couldn't help it. She giggled quietly, then the giggle grew into a loud laugh, which was quite painful. Inuyasha turned sharply and glared at her. "THAT'S NOT FUNY!" he roared. "I didn't want to hear your stupid stories anyway!" He threw the door open, ripping it off its hinges (do those kind of doors have hinges!), and jumped outside, dashing across the gardens surrounding the castle and into the nearby forest. Sara was left in shock, hurt by his rudeness but still feeling a little guilty about laughing. But it was funny. So she started laughing again.

…MEANWHILE…

Lord Takeo was still sitting on the floor, staring at the door where Inuyasha and Sara had disappeared, with a bewildered look on his face. (For those of you who are familiar with Rurouni Kenshin, it's a little look I'd like to call the 'Oro' face. )

…

Well, there you have it. Chapter Two. WHOO HOO! The end's a little rushed, sorry. I changed my mind, I'm extending what was supposed to be this chapter into two chapters, so you'll have to wait 'till Chapter Four before we really get into the plot. Sorry, but that's just how it turned out. It would have been too rushed in just one chapter. But Chapter Four will be worth it….oh so very worth it! And please please PLEASE if anyone saw any mistakes in my Japanese sword stuff, please let me know. And if anyone has any information about kenjutsu, TELL ME! I've been doing loads and loads of research on it and that's why it took so long to update. If I get info faster, you get your next chappie faster. That's how it works. I hope you likey! I'll work hard on the next one, sure to be full of fluff!

R&R!