Chapter 3:

"Hi, Mom! I've brought some guests!"

Mrs. Higurashi turned to see her daughter coming through the door with Inuyasha and three others in tow. Inuyasha had become a familiar sight over the past few months, so she was not in the least surprised to see him. The rest of the group, though, were so strange that she thought at first that Kagome had found a way to bring others through the Well.

"Sango?" Mrs. Higurashi asked, looking at the small, blue-haired woman who seemed to be a warrior of some kind, judging by the weapons she bore. She had always thought Sango was younger and more normal-looking.

Kagome giggled. "Oh, Mom! That isn't Sango!"

The small woman stepped forward, offering her hand. "My name is Kirsten MacAllister, madam. I'm also known as Cobra. This is my husband, Jonathan Windrow, also known as Dragon. And our colleague, Mavis Hsia."

Mrs. Higurashi shook Kirsten's hand in a slight daze. "Won't you come in?"

"Thank you. I'm sorry, but I'm the only one of my colleagues that speaks Japanese. " She turned to the others and spoke in English, introducing Kagome's mother.

The two others stepped forward in turn to shake Mrs. Higurashi's hand.

"Well… could I get you anything?"

"I think we're fine, thanks. "

"Could we maybe get on with this?" Inuyasha had flung himself into one of the kitchen chairs and was impatiently jogging a leg up and down and drumming his fingers on the table.

"Young man, you are sadly lacking in manners," Kirsten said severely. "And patience."

To everyone's surprise, Inuyasha did not bark back a reply, but instead looked chagrined. He stopped his drumming and straightened in the chair.

"Better."

"My goodness," Mrs. Higurashi said. "You seem to have a positive effect on him." She leaned forward and whispered. "How long can you stay?"

Inuyasha settled himself comfortably against the side of Kagome's bed. He listened to her steady breathing, his reassurance that she slept soundly. Although it was not necessary here, he kept watch, allowing himself only a light doze. However, even if he wanted to sleep, his mind was too busy with everything he had learned that evening.

He thought about the three people who had found their way through the Well. They had said they came from Ca-na-dah, a land he'd never heard of. Kagome had told him it was on the other side of the world – a concept he had great difficulty with. If they were an example of this country's denizens, then it must be a strange place indeed!

Inuyasha had been very reluctantly impressed with Cobra, as she called herself. She was astounding in her capabilities. He smiled grimly, thinking that his brother Sesshomaru would probably get along great with her – once she'd kicked his butt for him. He'd like to see her grab the Tenseiga or even the Tokijin from his arrogant brother. The look on Sesshomaru's handsome, normally impassive face would be priceless!

And if Cobra was that impressive, how much better might the Dragon be? He had not drawn his sword at all, and indeed seemed to be subordinate to the woman he claimed as wife. Although Inuyasha was used to women warriors, they were far and few between in his time. Sango was good with a blade, but she had never offered to spar with him.

Were these strangers serious about teaching him? Cobra had spoken of monsters called Krulls that had one time threatened freedom here in Kagome's time. She and her husband were part of a group of specially trained warriors that fought these creatures. She had explained how the Krulls had been beaten back for the time being. Kagome had never heard of these monsters, whatever they were, but did not disbelieve their story.

Cobra had told him that the majority of the Krull-fighters were normal humans like his friends. She had not wanted to give him the idea that everyone in this group of hers was as formidable as herself and Dragon. He did not understand what a mutant was, even though Kagome had tried to explain it to him after they had left.

What if Cobra could teach him? He never liked to admit it, but he was not the swordsman his brother was, and therefore the power of the Tetsusaiga was diminished somewhat. Cobra had said she could make him complete master of that sword in six months. Could he also become a Weaponsmaster like her? The Tetsusaiga and his own natural armaments were all very fine and good, but being master of a variety of weapons could be very useful against Naraku. He had some experience with staff, spear and bow, but that was all.

He turned his head to look at Kagome's sleeping form. She had turned away from him, so all he could see was her flowing dark hair and her shoulder above the blanket she had covered herself with. Inuyasha loved her completely, although he had never gotten up the nerve to tell her. He had always felt that Naraku would find a way to come between them, as he had done with Inuyasha and his first love, Kikyo. Naraku would be less inclined to use Kagome as a bargaining chip if he was not clear on Inuyasha's feelings toward the girl. The half-demon's unspoken feelings were a way for him to protect Kagome.

But, truly, what was he willing to do for love of this girl? How far would he go? All the way to Ca-na-dah? Six months away from hunting the Shikon jewel shards was a long time, but it could be more than worth it in the end. The only drawback that he could see was that Naraku would also have time to plan and implement his insidious little plots, and to grow stronger.

He would discuss it with Kagome. If she thought he should go, then he would. It would be nice if she would come with him, in that case.

Since there was no one to see and she was not facing him, he blew a kiss towards Kagome. Inuyasha wished he was brave enough to take her in his arms and kiss her senseless, as he had wanted to do these past few weeks. Demons scared him less than the thought that maybe Kagome wouldn't like his kisses.

"Kagome…some day," he whispered. He put his head down on his knees and willed himself to rest.

Over the next week, the three Canadians were frequent visitors to the shrine. Mavis went back and forth through the Well, studying how it worked. Kirsten did not come with Mavis and Jonathan every time. Jonathan explained to Kagome that the company they worked for had an office in Tokyo, and his wife was involved in meetings with her Japanese colleagues.

One afternoon, Jonathan and Kagome sat down under the sacred tree to wait for Mavis. Jonathan activated the device that gave him a normal appearance. The day before, he had demonstrated how it worked, and Kagome thought it was wonderful. She asked about getting one for Inuyasha, but Jonathan shook his head.

"Technically, Kirsten and I are not supposed to have them. They are alien devices. Understand 'alien'?"

"Spacemen?"

Jonathan nodded.

"Real spacemen?" Her brown eyes were very wide.

"Yes. They let us use them because they trust us. We work for them."

"Really?"

"The owners of the company we work for are from other worlds," Jonathan said. "But don't tell anyone – right?"

Kagome shook her head vigorously. "Who would believe?"

Jonathan chuckled.

"So what kind of company?" she asked Jonathan.

"We deal in computers and robotics. TDN International."

"I hear of them. What you do there?"

"Well – in my Jonathan Windrow persona, I'm a software designer and programmer, specializing in humanoid robots and bionics. Kirsten is a designer of bionic limbs."

"Bionics…?"

"Artificial arms and legs – that sort of thing."

Kagome frowned, thinking hard. "I know someone who could use an art – arti – artifishal arm."

"Friend of yours?"

"No. Inuyasha's brother, Sesshomaru. He's not very nice."

"No? Then why do you want to help him?"

"Inuyasha cut off his arm. I think he feel bad about it sometimes."

Jonathan stared at her. "He… he cut off his own brother's arm?"

"They were fighting over who should get Tetsusaiga. Inuyasha won." Kagome pounded a fist on her knee in frustration. "I would tell story – but not enough English. And you – no Japanese." She laid a hand on Jonathan's arm. "Inuyasha is not bad person, you know? He did it to protect me."

"Okay," Jonathan said slowly.

"He likes you. Likes Kirsten. He asked me what I think if he asks Kirsten to teach him." She looked up at the branches of the tree. "On the other side… there's real bad demon – Naraku. He killed Inuyasha's first love. He does all sorts of evil things. Miroku has a hole in his hand… a wind tunnel. It sucks everything up. Naraku did that to his grandfather and curse came down to Miroku. Naraku caused all Sango's people to be killed – told her Inuyasha did it." She looked at Jonathan with determination in her eyes. "We all want kill Naraku! But… is difficult. He's strong. Clever. If Kirsten can teach Inuyasha, maybe that give us what we need to destroy him. Understand?"

Jonathan nodded. "Anything we can do to help? I mean – Kirsten and I are well trained. Mavis has very strong magic."

Kagome shook her head. "Not enough. Naraku can change shape. Look like anyone. He controls many other demons that will fight for him. I think only Tetsusaiga and Tenseiga – that's Sesshomaru's sword - can bring Naraku down. But that mean Inuyasha and his brother work together – and they no like each other."

"But your friend thinks he can do it alone if he has more training?"

Kagome nodded. "I not so sure, but he think so. He not so smart sometimes, you know?"

Jonathan laughed. "You're the brains of the duo, is that it?"

Kagome grinned. "I think… maybe if Sesshomaru has new arm, like you say, maybe he work with Inuyasha to get Naraku."

Jonathan studied the young girl for a moment. "You've really thought about this, haven't you?"

She nodded. "Sesshomaru is warrior – like Kirsten. Better than Inuyasha. But don't tell him I say so, or he be mad."

Jonathan laughed. "No, I won't tell your friend. I can tell he's a little sensitive about his abilities."