A blast of light hurdled at him, and barely dodging the attack, he rolled away at the last moment. The attack sent waves of lightning at his foe, splitting the monster in half. It released an agonizing groan before falling to the ground. Dead. Blood sprayed in all directions, and half its body fell away, while the rest disintegrated.

A puddle surrounded him, soaking through his clothing and staining his skin. Link didn't care. Instead, his eyes widened as he regarded the person in front of him. At first, he thought the light was a sign that the Goddesses had intervened and helped him, but that was not the case. Link realized his mistake, and he blamed himself for his carelessness. It would not happen again.

What's wrong with me? Why was I reminded of her?

"Thank goodness we arrived in time!" A female voice said, sighing.

"Hey, are you all right?" Another female voice asked, slightly deeper than the first.

Blinking away his confusion, he regarded the group standing at a distance. They were the foreigners he found earlier. When his eyes flickered to the man dressed in red, with long silver hair and strange appendages on his head, he noticed his giant sword. So, it was him who slayed the beast? But what manner of being was he? Who were they?

"You just going to gawk or what? Hey, are you listening?"

"Calm down, Inuyasha. I'm sure he's only frightened," Miroku said, placing a hand on the individual's shoulder.

Not at all hesitant, a young woman with raven black hair, wearing a white and green outfit, ambled closer to him and offered him an outstretched hand. "Are you okay? You're not hurt anywhere, are you? Here, let me help you up."

Regardless of her sympathy, Link refused her hand and regained his standing, ignoring the hurt expression cross her countenance. They were definitely foreigners, and their strange dialect was proof of it. Still, as he examined his clothing, a tinge of annoyance surfaced. There was so much blood on his tunic that he wondered how he could walk into town without causing a commotion.

"That's strange…" The monk said, pressing a finger to his chin as he examined the remnants of the corpse beside Link. "When we neared this location, I did not sense any demonic aura… Did any of you sense anything?"

Inuyasha grumbled and sheathed his sword. "Not a damn thing. Just heard a commotion in this direction, but it's the strangest demon I've ever encountered. Kagome, do you sense any jewel shards on it?"

"I don't…"

"Damn it! That was a waste of time!" He said, his impatience growing thin.

"What kind of demon was it, anyway?" Shippo asked, next to Kirara and Sango. "It smells weird…"

"Beats the hell out of me. But whatever it is, it's dead now."

Sango nodded. "I expected it to put up more than a battle, but it was so weak. Probably the easiest we've had this week."

Link wasn't sure why that remark irritated him, but it certainly didn't feel good. If his mind hadn't wandered, he would have silenced the creature before these people interfered, but he remained silent as he silently regarded them. It'd been so long since he acquainted himself with others that he wasn't sure how to respond, but judging by the look on the one known as Inuyasha, it was likely his presence bothered him.

He keeps glaring at me… Does he have a problem with me?

"Hey, are you okay? Did you get hurt—"

The moment the young woman's hand reached for his shoulder, Link pulled away. No surprise, she recoiled at the action, most notably the unwelcoming stare which must have frightened her, and he bit his tongue. He hadn't meant for the action to upset her or the others. "I'm fine. Your concern is wasted."

"What the hell is your problem? I just saved your life, kid! Show a bit of empathy!"

Kagome slapped his shoulder. "Lay off, Inuyasha! That's no way to treat someone!"

"He started it!" He said, pointing a finger in his direction, but Kagome promptly put her foot down, with her hands on her waist, and he shrunk back.

"And I'm ending it," She said, sighing. "Anyway, I'm glad you're okay. Further more, I think we're in a dilemma, everyone. This wasn't the same forest we were in moments ago. Right? It feels different."

Miroku nodded. "I also noticed that. Rather than waste time arguing, lets gather our bearings," He said and turned to Link. "By chance, are we near a village?"

It took a moment for him to respond, but he did with a nod. "It's not far…"

A sigh escaped Kagome, and she pressed a hand to her chest. "Oh, that's a relief! I was a little worried for a second. Would you mind showing us the way? I'm afraid we aren't familiar with this area."

Blue eyes shifted to the dark clouds overhead. A storm was brewing, and since he had no other reason to remain in these woods, he nodded once more and beckoned them to follow him. It was strange. It'd been years since he last had any contact with others. For years, he had remained in these woods, traveling and living off what the terrain offered, hoping to find some means to return to Hyrule. But that was impossible.

"You're dressed different," Shippo said, perched on Kagome's shoulder as she walked alongside Link with the others following. "What clothes are those?"

When Link didn't say a word, Kagome examined his attire. "You know, it looks like a medieval tunic. Almost… European, I think."

"Euro… what?" Inuyasha asked. "Peeing? What the hell are you talking about?"

"Not peeing! Euro-pean! It's… a distinct style of clothing worn in another country, like England or Great Britain. It's further across the ocean from Japan," Kagome said, correcting him. "Actually, they are practical clothing which are easier to move around in than what Feudal Japan has."

Inuyasha grumbled, his arms hidden in the sleeves of his fire rat robe. "I don't see the big deal about it. So, kid, you got a name?"

"It's Link…"

"Not much of a talker, huh?" Miroku asked, sweat dropping. "Judging by the sword you're carrying, I take it you're a swordsman?"

He nodded. "Yeah. Judging by your garments… you must be a monk or a priest?"

The very inquiry brought a smile to the young man's face. "You are correct! I'm a monk in service of Buddha. Have been since a very young age. You may call me Miroku, and this lovely lady beside me is Sango and her faithful companion, Kirara."

Buddha? What was that? But Link didn't bother asking and remained firm in guiding them through the woods, but it would take hours by foot to reach Clock Town. Not that he didn't mind a little rain, because at least it would wash away the scent from his ruined clothes. The last thing he needed were wolves tracking him.

"My name is Kagome, and this is Shippo. And the grumpy one back there is Inuyasha," She said and leaned to whisper to Link. "Don't let his temper fool you, but he's actually a friendly person. He just has trouble expressing his feelings sometimes."

"I heard that!"

Shippo nodded. "Let's not forget a complete idiot too—" Before the small child could finish his sentence, a fist collided with his head, and he cried out with his arms raised. "Ow! You big bully! Kagome, he hit me!"

"Shut up, you little runt—"

"Inuyasha, sit boy!"

Suddenly, the beads around Inuyasha's neck glimmered, and within a split second, his entire being fell onto the ground. The impact caused the ground to tremble at his feet, and Link paused and turned back. What manner of magic was that? Blue eyes shifted to the girl with her hands on her hips as she shouted at her friend. Was she a witch?

How did she do that? With mere words?

Link inspected the small crater as Inuyasha slowly lifted himself out of it, all the while glancing back at the others and then at the young woman. The clothing she wore was not familiar to him in the slightest, and the only witches he'd met on his travels were Koume and Kotake, who lived in the Swamp Lands. If not a witch, then was she a sorcerous?

Miroku sighed. "That was entirely uncalled for, Inuyasha."

"I agree. Shippo did nothing wrong."

Inuyasha glared at his friends. "He did nothing wrong?! He's over here telling strangers I'm an idiot! Just because he's a child, doesn't mean he should get away with foul language!"

"You're one to talk!" Kagome said, countering. "You're practically an adult, and you're still picking on him every chance you get! Learn some compassion, Inuyasha! And another thing, stop using such vulgar language around him and others! Geez! It's no wonder people always get the wrong impression of you!"

Inuyasha sputtered and regained his standing. "You got a problem with me? I'm only defending myself! And you're not making it any better by sitting me every chance you get! If you ask me, you're the childish one!"

"Oh, please! Don't turn this around on me!" Kagome turned with a huff and sweat dropped when she saw the blank stare on Link's face. "I'm sorry about that. This happens all the time…"

So, this person made it a habit of bullying his friends with not only violence but vulgar language? Right now, his impression of Inuyasha wasn't good, and he certainly had a temper that could rival any angry Deku. But he said nothing. What could he say after witnessing that?

"Since we're about my poor attitude, I need to ask you something, Link. You're not human, are you? If not, then what are you?"

"Inuyasha!"

He turned at her raised voice. "What? I'm only asking a question! It should be obvious by looking at him that he's not like us!"

"What do you mean, what is he? He's human, obviously!"

"Actually, he's a Hylian!"

The familiar voice drew Link's attention, and everyone else's, ahead of them. To anyone else, they saw a floating pink orb with translucent wings fluttering towards them, but to Link, he saw a friend he'd made since living in this land. Serena.

"Sheesh! I heard the entire ruckus a mile away! What's going on?" The forest fairy asked, fluttering beside Link's ear.

Shippo gasped. "What is that?! It's so pretty and bright!"

Inuyasha made a face and squinted his eyes. "Looks like a bug."

"A ball of light?" Sango asked. "And it's talking…"

Now this was strange. As foreign as they looked and acted, he never would have guessed they weren't aware of the existence of fairies. Where were these people from? From what he recalled hearing earlier, the girl mentioned something about Japan and other unfamiliar names.

"What am I? I'm a fairy!"

From her spot with her friends, the young woman stared at the glittering orb of light with fascination, her eyes practically sparkling. "Oh, wow! This is my first time seeing a fairy! Although they're different from what my mythological book details about them. Where did I put it?"

"A mytho what? Is it dangerous?" Inuyasha asked, resting his hand on the hilt of his sword.

Without answering right away, Kagomes upper torso disappeared into her oversized backpack as she rummaged through her belongings. Books of the dozen soon flew overhead, followed by several strange objects and bags of chips. One heavy book pelted Inuyasha upside the head, but he caught most of her things. "I found it!" She said, reappearing once more and held up a small booklet with golden writing on the cover.

Shippo jumped onto her shoulder and peered at the booklet, watching as the young woman sifted through the pages. "What are you looking for?"

"This book has a lot of information about fairies and other mythological creatures. It might come in handy…" She said, before pausing on a page filled with pictures and description. "Here it is. See this picture? This is a fairy. Or at least a representation that I'm familiar with."

Link canted his head as the group suddenly huddled around Kagome, and that included his fairy friend. Without a word, he crept beside the young woman and stared at the page filled with several colorful paintings and text. It was far more detailed than the books in this world and much smaller than he was used to. But the image which caught his notice bared a faint resemblance to the Great Fairy.

Kagome pointed at the picture. "So, according to this book, fairies shape-shift into anything, be it creatures or even humans, and they all harness magical abilities. They've existed since the dawn of humanity, but behind their innocent facades, they are actually mischievous as they pull pranks on others."

The image presented a young maiden with ivory and unblemished skin, sitting upon a tree's branch, with vines and flowers making up the flowing gown she wore. Long green hair fell over her shoulders in thick waves, and her face was turned upwards to the glistening crescent moon. There was longing in those black coal eyes, her golden wings hanging limply on her back.

"Whoever the painting was, they are talented, but it's a bit of stretch if he or she believes us Forest Fairies look like this. It's almost similar to our Great Fairy."

"What's a Great Fairy?" Shippo asked.

Before Kagome could begin reading from the book, Serena cut in. "She is mother to all fairies! Everyone knows that! Who are you people that you're not aware of that? But now that I look at you… you don't seem to be from around here."

Kagome sweat dropped. "Yeah, that's right… We're lost, and Link was kind enough to lead us toward a village. But… would you mind filling us in on what exactly a fairy is?"

A pause followed as Serena and Link shared a glance. "I suppose… I'm a Forest Fairy. Like all Forest Fairies, we dwell in forestry places, meadows and plains. And before you ask, we are born from the holy springs scattered across the lands of Termina. Each spring produces different fairies though, but without our respected Great Fairy mother, our lifespans shorten."

"Termina?" Sango asked. "Is that where we are?"

"I've never heard of such a province…" Miroku said a moment after. "I'm worried, especially after stumbling upon Link and this fairy."

"What's there to worry about? It's not like we're in any danger. Right?" Shippo asked. "Oh, I have a question, fairy! Kagome read me stories about fairies, and they always speak of them using magic. Is this true?"

The fairy nodded with a bob of its head. "Yes. Maybe in another thousand years. If we live long enough. At an early age, we search for suitable partners to maintain our growth and develop intuition. And not in any romantic sense. Link is my partner."

Kagome mused. "That makes sense. It's strange that we've never stumbled upon a fairy before… Termina… I'm not familiar with that place though…"

"Well, from the looks of it, you're definitely lost. If you continue straight ahead, you'll eventually arrive in Clock Town."

Bewildered why Serena had ventured away from Clock Town and somehow tracked down his location, Link turned to his companion. "Did something happen?"

"Sort of, but I don't know all the details…" Serena said before glancing back at the group. "The Great Fairy summoned you. It seems pretty urgent."

Now, this didn't sound good. The Great Fairy was never the type to summon him to her spring, and had only done so twice in the past during her previous adventures. Link turned to the group and rubbed the back of his neck. "This is where we go our separate ways. If you continue this way, you'll eventually exit the forest and arrive in town."

Author Note:

I eliminated a good chunk of mistakes centered on fairies, Kagome sitting Inuyasha constantly along with other useless dialogue. Instead, I added a bit of dialogue from my Alternate Story to explain what fairies are, and allowed Link to talk! I'm slowly editing the story of grammatical mistakes, so expect some differences with later chapters for a while. (R/E) Stands for Revised/Edited.