Hermione whirled around, making the mistake of doing it on her injured foot, and so she collapsed to the ground from the pain that shot through it. Blinking away the tears that had come to her eyes, she tried to see the person who had spoken and readied herself to draw her wand if it should be someone hostile.

Before her stood a girl wearing a light pink kimono with yellow dots and a lantern-like pattern. She looked to be around 12 years old and had long brown hair.

"Forgive me, I did not want to startle you, but you seemed to be lost", the girl said apologetically and bowed lightly to her.

"Yes, you could say I'm lost. Please, don't apologize, I am just a bit jumpy", Hermione said while trying to stand up again.

Seeing her struggle, the girl helped her up.

"I can show you to the nearest village if you want. I live there at the moment. My name is Rin by the way."

"Yes, that would be lovely Rin. Thank you very much. My name is Hermione."

Rin nodded, showed her the right path and slowly they made their way down the hill. While walking Rin tried to say Hermione's name and after having her pronunciation corrected a few times, she got it right.

"Hermione is a strange name. Rin never heard something that sounded like that."

"That's to be expected, it is from another language which is spoken in a land far, far away from here."

"Oh! So that is why you look different?"

Hermione nodded and smiled. While they wandered along the path Rin told her about some of the people living in the village and other peoples she knew. She talked fast, and Hermione had difficulty to understand everything the girl talked about. The person she talked the most of was a lord Sesshomaru that Rin had travelled with for a long time. He had taken her in when her family had died and now was visiting her and bringing her presents.

It was difficult to cut into Rin's monologue, but somehow she managed to do it: "From hearing you tell me about this lord Sesshomaru, he seems like a very nice person. I am sorry to interrupt you, but how far is the village? Unfortunately, I am getting a little tired."

"Don't worry. It's not far anymore. We just have to cross that bridge, walk a bit farther down the river and we are there. I am sure you can stay with Lady Kaede and I. She will probably want to take a look at your foot and teach Kagome and I how to heal it. You can also wash up and borrow some clothes, I'm sure we will find some that fit you."

Only now Hermione realised how dirty she had become. Her clothes were even ripped at some places. If the dressing style of Rin was common in this time, then her shorts would seem indecent. Her foreign features and lighter hair would draw enough attention, and she didn't want to be seen as a loose woman.

"That would be very nice. Thank you."

They crossed the bridge and passed some fields and farmers, who were working hard, until they reached the village. All of the buildings were more like wooden huts than actual houses. Rin lead her further to the centre and ran into one of the huts, calling out for Lady Kaede. Hermione stood outside the doorway waiting, feeling a bit self-conscious because of some villagers starring at her. Fortunately, she didn't have to wait long.

"Come in and sit down, child. Do not worry, I won't bite ye'."

Gratefully Hermione stepped inside. There she saw an old lady who had spoken to her, and she could feel a strange power coming from her, which was similar to those she had felt with the objects in her time. The old lady was clad in red and withe priestess garments and she had long grey hair and was wearing an eyepatch. Hermione bowed respectfully to her and tried to take of her shoes while standing, which she failed to do. Sitting down on the elevated platform in the hut, she tried again. With difficulty and while wincing she managed to take of the shoe on her injured foot. She placed her shoes neatly together and turned around to see Lady Kaede carefully observing her.

"So, it is ye' I've felt earlier", she said bluntly.

Hermione was shocked for a moment and replied while stuttering slightly: "Wha- what do you mean?"

"Like I said, do not worry, I won't bite ye'. So long as ye' don't mean us any harm, ye're welcome here. What I meant was yer strange power. It is something I have rarely felt, and it was never this strong. Now show me yer foot, I can see that it pains you."

Hesitantly she showed the old priestess her injured foot. While Lady Kaede was examining her ankle, Hermione was debating with herself if she should ask the priestess about her powers.

"Lady Kaede, if I may ask, how were you able to tell, that I am … different?"

"Through my spiritual powers. Now, who did this? It's formidable work! Yer ankle is even cool to the touch and I can't detect any cooling herbs or wetness."

"Ehrm… I… I did?", she told the old lady reluctantly.

"How?", the priestess asked astonished.

"With my powers."

She nodded: "Hmmm, I hope I will see yer powers in action one day."

"Someday, maybe. If you will show me yours?"

"Gladly, but maybe I am not the right one to show ye', since I am already old. We'll see."

She began treating her swollen ankle in silence by rubbing some paste, made by herbs, on her injury, splinting and bandaging it again.

"So, finished. Why don't ye' wash up a bit, while I go and find ye' something to wear. There is water and ye' can use these clothes to wash and dry up again. Come on, Rin."

They closed the doors behind them and Hermione was left alone in the hut. Like Lady Kaede suggested, she began washing herself with a wet cloth. She took her time, wanting to be as thorough as possible while still keeping her clothes on. They could come back any time. She had just finished as there was a knock at the door and it opened slightly.

"I have yer clothes here, child. Sango was so nice as to lend 'em to ye'."

Hermione went to the door and opened it wider to see the old woman and the girl with the promised clothes. There was only one problem.

"Thank you very much, but I… I don't know how to wear them properly", she replied, blushing slightly.

"That's no problem, Rin will show ye'."

With that she pushed the clothes into Hermione's arms and went away. Rin came inside and closed the door. Turning to Hermione, she looked at her expectantly. The witch looked down at the clothes, then laid them out on the platform.

"So, what's first?", she asked a bit embarrassed for not knowing.

"First you have to undress to your undergarments. Then you slip on this one and I will show you how to tie it properly."

She slipped out of her shorts and was pulling her long-sleeved shirt over her head when she heard a quiet gasp. Self-consciously she turned around, finished to pull her shirt over her arms and hastily slipped into the mentioned clothes. For some time, she had forgotten about her scars and how they looked to others. The only person that had seen all her scars was Ginny. Not even Ron had seen all of them. She suspected that it was one of the reasons why Ron had lost interest in her and had fallen in love with another witch. After their break-up she hadn't dated anyone, so undressing hadn't been an issue anymore. She mostly did try not to pay attention to the scars if possible. She mostly wore long sleeves and high collars or scarfs to hide them. After three years it came automatically. While she was lost in thoughts Rin came closer and put a hand on her upper arm.

"You don't need to talk about them if you don't want to. Let me show you how to bind this."

Hermione smiled gratefully at her and watched closely. After watching and trying a few times she was fully clothed in the kimono. She was also wearing leg and arm guards and straw sandals. The kimono was a light blue colour with a darker blue pattern. She was very glad for the arm guards, for they hid her scars better since the wider sleeves of the kimono could slide back. Also, her wand holster couldn't be detected easily even if her disillusionment charm failed. She thanked Rin again, for everything the girl had done for her.

AN: Thank you for your support! I hope you continue liking the story! I am always thankful for your feedback.

This story is now betaed by Pyo-Kiyo, I am very grateful for her help.

Thanks, and enjoy!