Disclaimer: The characters of InuYasha are not mine; they are property of Rumiko Takahashi, Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, Sunrise, and Viz. The following story is for entertainment and not profit.

Chapter 1: Naosu

If it hadn't been for the annoying kitsune he wouldn't have bother traveling through the well to her time, as she had only been gone for a few days, but Shippo had insisted that Kagome was in danger. Inu Yasha's first reaction was to ignore the stupid child spouting off about Naraku disappearing down the Bone Eater's Well, but the fear in the young one's eyes hadn't taken long to convince him something was wrong. His pace quickened the closer to the clearing he had gotten; the stench of the vile hanyou still strong in the air. How dare Naraku enter HIS territory!

Arriving quickly on the other side he had been greeted by Souta's cheerful voice. "Inu Yasha!"

No time to acknowledge the boy, Inu Yasha sped pass him in search of Kagome.

Kagome had promised her mother that she would get the shrine steps swept before leaving for the feudal era again, but it was already late afternoon and she hadn't even started. She had finished the last of her accumulated homework and now stood at the top of the steps with broom in hand. She had just convinced herself to get started when she froze. There was a large jewel shard approaching fast from the direction of the Well House. It can't be, she told herself as a white blur passed her by and disappeared before she had a chance to finish her thought.

Inu Yasha landed beside her, "Get on!"

Her response too slow, she found herself pulled onto his back. The sudden movement caused her body to react on practiced instinct. As the clawed fingers gripped her legs tight to his sides, her hands grabbed onto the familiar shoulders as they took off.

"Which way?" he barked landing at the base of the stairs.

"There!" she pointed, "And it's big, but what—"

"Naraku," came the response as Inu Yasha took off in the direction she indicated.

"But how?!"

"I don't know, but I can smell him."

Kagome had to fight her rising fear. Naraku? In her time? This was not good.

"Faster Inu Yasha." She urged him on. "The jewel has stopped moving. We might be able to catch up to him." Even without being able to sense the shard he could tell they were getting closer, the foul scent of his prey was fresh on the breeze.

His heart pounding with anticipation, they came around the side of one of the high-rise buildings just in time to see the baboon pelt-clad Naraku burst out of a window about three stories above them, an unmoving figure draped over one of his shoulders. Kagome gasped. Inu Yasha made a quick turn and took off in pursuit. It wasn't until landing at the bottom of the shrine steps that either of them realized where he was headed.

Inu Yasha sped towards the Well House, and without missing a step, jumped through the familiar portal. The sound of fighting greeted them on the other side. Shippo had dragged the others to the clearing just in time to keep Naraku from a clean get away. Leaping up and out of the well, Inu Yasha reached for Tetsusaiga to join the fight. Kagome's hand shot out to grab his.

"You can't! You might hit whoever he kidnapped!"

Kagome felt a tiny hand brush her leg as she slid off of Inu Yasha's back. Looking down, she smiled at the attentive kitsune at her feet holding her bow and arrows. With slight hesitation, she took aim and fired. As the arm that held his unconscious prisoner dissolved under the purifying arrow, Naraku shot a tentacle out to reclaim his prize only to have it cut short by the exterminator's boomerang and her demon cat grab the falling body. With the human shield out of the way, Inu Yasha drew his sword and swung. Naraku barely dodged the wave of energy from Tetsusaiga with an angry growl before disappearing.

"Damn it!" Inu Yasha spat in irritation.

"What was he doing here?" Sango questioned as she made her way to Kirara and Naraku's abandoned cargo. Carefully lifting the burden off the cat's back everyone stood in silence. It was a human female.

Kaede turned to Kagome and Inu Yasha, "Ye should get her back through the well before she wakes." But no sooner had the word left her then it was too late.

"Mmmm…my head…" All eyes went to the waking girl as she moved to sit up.

"Are you okay?" Sango asked softly as she reached forward to assist.

Nervously the girl brushed aside the hair that fallen across her face. "I…think so…" Her words were slow and groggy.

As her dark violet eyes lifted to meet Sango's a moment of pain seemed to take her before she reached out to accept the offered hand. Kagome, too, moved to assist the visibly shaken girl to her feet. "Kagome." She smiled, taking the arm closest to her.

"Naosu," the girl responded.

"Let me assist," Miroku offered, rushing forward to take hold of her waist and help steady her footing.

"Thank you…"

"Miroku," he announced, moving to take her hand from Kagome and raise it to his lips. Naosu stiffened as she felt his other hand slip from her waist to take hold of her butt. Before she could open her mouth to object to the unexpected molestation, the offender lay at her feet, a large lump beginning to form on his head.

"Don't mind him," Sango said reassuringly, taking the other woman's hand in her own more firmly. "He does that to everybody." Kagome nodded in agreement, suppressing the urge to giggle.

Taking her by the arm, Sango and Kagome turned Naosu toward the village and Kaede's hut. "Come along," Kaede sighed, leading the girls down the hill.

Inu Yasha grumbled as he lifted the unconscious monk from the grass and flung him over his shoulder. Shippo and Kirara raced off ahead. No one took notice of the eyes watching them from the nearby trees.