Chapter Four

Feudal Japan

To Yusuke, five-forty in the morning was way to early seeing as the sun was just beginning to rise. He would rather be sleeping in his nice warm bed, unfortunately he, and the others, had no choice. Hiei was in front as they walked to the Higurashi Shrine where Kagome would be awaiting their arrival. As silence continued to envelope the tired group Yusuke noticed that tied to the apparition's side was not one, but two swords. His brow furrowed in confusion, when had Hiei gotten that? Kurama too was sporting one as well, although the sheath and hilt was different. When the shrine came into view Kagome was waiting for them at the top of the many steps of the shrine. She didn't seem fazed by the fact that it was so early. Her outfit consisted of dark blue hakama and a white tank top. Tied to her side was a sword encased in a white sheath with a pink orb engraved at the top. Two light brown strips went from the orb winding down the sheath to the end and the kanji for '----' was written in the middle. On her back were a bow and a quiver full of sharp arrows. She regarded them with guarded eyes as they came up the steps. She looked more pleasant than the previous day, but still didn't look all that approachable. In her hands she held a folded black cloth, she walked over to Hiei as he was first to reach the top.

"I do believe this belongs to you," she said as she handed him his cloak. It had no blood stains or anything of the sort as it should have after she was wrapped in it. She said nothing more before walking to the well house. "To put this short and simple," she started out letting them file in before herself. "The well is my use of transportation to the past," She held out four sparkling pink shards giving one to each male. "Whether or not the well lets you through, even with the shards, is not my problem."

"So we jump down the well?" Kuwabara questioned. To him, it seemed ridiculous.

"Yes," Kagome replied shortly before jumping into the depths of the well. A blue light engulfed her being; when it vanished she was gone. Hiei was the first to venture into the unknown; it was a bit surprising when the blue light engulfed him as well.

T.H.E.P.R.O.T.E.C.T.O.R

Kagome was a bit more than surprised when she saw that the well had let all four of them through, but said nothing of it.

"Heh, you thought I was kidding when I said the well transports me to the past didn't you?" she questioned upon seeing the mild shock that took over their expressions momentarily.

"How far in the past are we?" Kuwabara asked.

"Five hundred years or so," she replied. Hiei and Kurama seemed to adjust to the natural surroundings quickly.

'Feels like home,' Kurama thought with a small smile.

"I warn you though, don't let your guard drop. Youkai roam among humans freely in this time, the Makai has not come into existence as of yet." Turning on her heel she began walking in a seemingly random direction. "I might as well tell you what my quest is about shouldn't I?"

"That would most likely be wise," Hiei replied shortly.

"I, along with a couple of my friends, are searching for the fragments of the Shikon no Tama. To find them we normally go to villages and gather rumors of where they may be, but if they are close enough I can sense the general direction one may be in. However, we are not the only ones searching to complete the shattered jewel. A hanyou, by the name of Naraku, is also searching for fragments. He has the largest chunk of it by far, unfortunately. He does not work alone; he has his incarnations do the dirty work most of the time. The ones you will most likely be seeing are Kagura, Hakudoshi, and Kanna."

"Miko, why is the Shikon shattered in the first place?" Hiei asked.

"That would be none of your business," she replied casually. Before Hiei could prod her for the information he wanted, a roar from above caused all to look up. A large cream colored cat with flames around her feet and two tails began to descend to the ground.

"Welcome back Kagome," the rider on the cats back smiled.

"It's good to be back Sango," Kagome smiled. Sango jumped off of Kirara's back, a quizzical look crossed her face upon seeing the newcomers. "It's complicated," Kagome said knowing what question was forming in Sango's mind. "In a nutshell, they're here to help."

"Can they be trusted?" Sango whispered.

"I don't know, but I didn't exactly have a choice. Hello there Shippo, it's good to see you." Shippo smiled from his spot on Kagome's shoulder obviously happy the Miko had returned. After introductions were made Kagome turned to Sango. "Any new rumors?"

"Well, there have been rumors that Hakudoshi and Kagura were last spotted over by Kashini Village. What they were doing there though, no one seems to know."

"Then we should head there, they may be on to something." With that said they began the trek to Kashini Village. Shippo had noticed Kagome's icy attitude towards the newcomers, even if it wasn't all that noticeable.

"Don't worry; once she feels comfortable around you she'll be nicer. She just doesn't trust so easily right now," Shippo said to them feeling the need to assure them that she wasn't as bad as she seemed.

T.H.E.P.R.O.T.E.C.T.O.R

Okay, I need help in figuring out what to put on the sheath of Kagome's sword. On Kurama and Hiei's they have 'Gaurdian' and 'Protector', but I can't figure out what to put on Kagome's. Any and all suggestions are welcomed and loved. Thanks for all the nice reviews! It makes me happy when I see another review in my E-mail.

Question Corner

Question 1: What's with the threatening of sealing the well?

Answer: I don't know, I just couldn't think of anything else. ;;

Parring Corner

Still undecided thus far, keep the suggestions coming.

Suggestions:

Kur/Kag/Hiei 2

Disclaimer Corner

Inuyasha (c) Rumiko Takahashi

Yu Yu Hakusho (c) Yoshihiro Togashi