Rin went out to search for Lady Kaede while Hermione stayed in the hut and rested her ankle. A lot of things went through her head. She was glad that the people she had met in this time until now were so nice and helpful; she was very lucky, and she tried not to imagine too much what it probably could have been like instead. They were so friendly even though they didn't know her and didn't ask anything in return. The village didn't seem very rich; she would have to ask later how she could help. She should also ask about the time she was in.
Hermione was yanked out of her thoughts by a loud voice calling out for Lady Kaede, followed by the woman who had called out entering the hut and stopping abruptly, starring at her. The young woman was also clad in priestess garments and wore her long wavy black hair loose. Big blue eyes were staring at her, and Hermione could feel immense power coming from the woman who seemed kind of familiar, but she didn't know why. The woman shook herself out of her stupor and bowed slightly. To the witch's astonishment, the young priestess started talking in English.
"Hello, I am sorry to disturb you. I was looking for Lady Kaede and didn't know she had a guest. Do you know where she went?"
"Hello, that is no problem. Rin went searching for her after I had finished changing but hasn't returned yet. Say, you seem kind of familiar, are you…" she wasn't able to finish, because the priestess puffed up and interrupted her angrily.
"No, I am not Kikyo! Why does everyone think that, I have had enough!"
Before she could continue Hermione stopped her.
"Who is Kikyo? I meant to say that you look like Kagome."
The priestess froze on the spot. Stutteringly she began to speak.
"W-… wait, w-… what?! I am Kagome."
"Kagome Higurashi?" Hermione asked surprised. Could it be possible that she wasn't the only one that travelled through the well?
"Yes, how do you…?" she began, but slowed down as she glimpsed Hermione's dirty clothes, "Did you come through a well?"
"Yes, I did. So that's why Sota and Higurashi-sama had such a strange reaction when I asked about you. They know, don't they?"
"Yes, but how do you know my brother and grandfather? How are they? How did you come here? From which time are you?" came one question after another.
Hermione stopped her and began to tell her how she was travelling in Japan and visiting shrines, how Kagome's grandfather had told her so many stories and her mother had then invited her for a dinner. She also told her that she wanted to see the well and how she was sucked into it. She left out the magic and powers she could feel.
"Your family seemed to miss you a lot but were also happy for you."
Kagome had to wipe away some tears upon hearing that.
"Thank you for telling me, I am glad they are well. I miss them a lot too. Back then I was able to travel through the well whenever I wanted to, but since the Jewel of Four Souls was destroyed it doesn't work like that anymore."
"You were able to go back?"
"Yes, when I began my travels at fifteen I could go back whenever I wanted. Except once, when it was damaged. I had to wait till my friends repaired it. But after I destroyed the Jewel the well disappeared completely, and I was stuck in a dark place for three days until Inuyasha came and saved me. I went back to my time, and he came back here. For three years we were separated, but after my graduation I was finally able to come back here permanently. My husband doesn't know about it, but I tried going back a few times when I was really angry with him. The well didn't work then, so I thought it wouldn't work at al anymore."
"So, are you telling me that I will probably never able to go back?"
"I am not sure, I think I won't be able to go back because I made the decision to return here. I don't know about you. Maybe there is a way," Kagome tried to encourage Hermione.
Hermione smiled slightly at her, being thankful for her thoughtfulness, but not too sure if she could believe her.
"When exactly are we?" she tried changing the subject.
"We are in the feudal era in Japan, roughly five hundred years in the past."
In that moment there was a loud yell coming from right in front of the still open door: "Kagome! Hurry and come outside, there is a strange smell inside!"
Hermione couldn't see who had yelled since she was siting a bit to the side and wasn't able to see outside. However, she could feel a strange power from that person too, only this time it was different from the one she had felt from the priestesses.
"Inuyasha! Don't be so rude! I'm not in danger!" Kagome yelled back in Japanese.
"What the hell! Why are you yelling at me?" Inuyasha said while entering the hut, "wait, who's that?!"
He quickly came up to Hermione and smelled her. She only starred at the boy, being surprised not only at his behaviour but also at his looks. She recognized him from the picture at the Higurashi shrine. He was wearing the same red clothes and still had the same golden eyes and silver hair. In addition to that, he had a sword strapped to his hip and instead of normal human ears he had dog ears on the top of his head.
"Wait, dog ears?" Hermione thought.
"Inuyasha, I told you not to be rude! You can't just go and smell people!" she reprimanded him.
"I am sorry, he normally knows better."
"What are you saying? It's not Japanese anymore."
"It's English. And Kagome, it is not your fault" Hermione replied to them also in Japanese.
"Oh, you speak Japanese, that's great. It will be very helpful. How did you learn it?"
"Kagome!" Inuyasha whined, "The more important question is why she smells so strange and powerful!"
"Well, for me the more relevant question is, why do you have dog ears and go around sniffing people?"
Kagome answered: "Aren't they cute? And so fluffy! He is a half-demon, you know. His father was a great dog demon and his mother a human."
"Kagome!" Inuyasha whined again, this time embarrassed.
He was ignored by both females.
"So, you are telling me demons exist? Like in the stories and legends your grandfather told me? Does everybody know about demons?" Hermione asked astonished.
"Yes, they do, and demons are widely known, in Japan at least. I don't know if grandfather told them accurately or exaggerated them, but at least some of it is true. There are demons that live peacefully with humans, some that ignore them, but also some that prey on them. Don't worry Inuyasha is one of the good guys."
Hermione thought about it for a short while. It kind of made sense, the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy was or would be established in 1692. Now they were still in the sixteenth century. Magic was also still in the open. And demons, it would appear, as well.
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!