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 2: Questions and Answers

"I believe it would be best to tell her the truth of her situation." Miroku stated.

"Do ye truly believe her to be of the ability to handle such a thing, monk. Or, perhaps it should be ye, Lady Kagome, which I should be asking this."

After settling their guest by the hearth with a warming cup of herbal tea, Kagome and Miroku had followed the older miko out of the small hut to discuss what was to be done. Kaede had to agree that there was very little reason to lie to the girl.

Kagome nodded. "I would like to be the one to tell her." It only seemed right, being that she had found herself in a similar situation only a few years before.

With all three in agreement, they turned to enter the wooden building. As Miroku moved aside the heavy drape that served as the door, there was an eruption of laughter from within. Quickly ducking inside, Kagome's eyes fell on a familiar sight. Naosu, her eyes wide with curiosity, was gently tugging on Inu Yasha's protruding puppy ears.

"Are they real?"

As soon as the hanyou realized that Kagome and the others had returned, he shooed away the inquisitive hands and run for refuge behind her. "What is with you people and my ears?"

As Sango and Shippo quieted their outburst, Kagome reached out and gave the grumbling hanyou's ear another playful tug. Inu Yasha gave an irritated growl before moving off to the corner of the open room.

Naosu took a sip of her second cup of tea and let the reality of her situation digest. Kagome sat prepared to answer any questions that the girl had. Inu Yasha had spent the time during the story studying the new girl. There was something familiar about her scent. If only I could figure out what, he told himself. It was faint, but there and confusing. He had also assessed her appearance, looking for a clue. Her skin was pale, but because she was from the modern era that wasn't so odd. Many people worked indoors there. The white of her skin was emphasized by the dark black waves of hair the framed her face and shoulders before flowing down her back to brush the floor as she sat. The feature that he found the most intriguing was a stripe of silver-white hair, about the width of two fingers, just right of her center part. It was nearly identical in colour to his own. Her eyes were a dark reddish-purple and, even when she was smiling, made her expression seem troubled. Maybe if I was closer, he thought. Quietly, so as not to draw attention to himself, Inu Yasha rose from his corner.

"So I need only pass through the well to return to the modern era?"

Kagome nodded at her conclusion. She had to admit that Naosu seemed to be handling her situation almost better than she had expected.

"Then I have only one request." Turning toward the hanyou who had been attempting to sneak in behind her, Naosu bowed low. "I wish to be of assistance to you in your quest to defeat the demon that kidnapped me."

Inu Yasha rolled his eyes, although surprised that she had know where he was. Great, he thought, all I need is another human to get in the way.

"It would be a pleasure to add yet another beautiful companion to our small group." Miroku smiled warmly.

"I will not have anymore weaklings around than—"

Inu Yasha found his words quickly cut off as the blade of his own was sword pressed to his neck. Shocked and a little confused, the hanyou found that he was unable to move. Looking down past the sword at his throat, he saw that the tie that had been part of Naosu's strange garb was now tightly wound around his forearms, pinning his hands quite painfully together, making his claws all but useless to free himself. His eyes narrowed and began to bleed red as the knowledge of who now dared to threaten him with his own sword dawned on him.

The entire room had fallen silent with shock.

"Were you about to refer to me as weak, Lord Inu Yasha?" Her smooth voice hissed into his ear just loud enough for all to hear in the silence.

Sango felt herself smile. This girl would make a good exterminator.

Irate, Inu Yasha turned as his bounds fell away and the blade slide from his throat ready to disembowel the one that had dared to do such a thing to him, regardless of the consequences. Once again he was stopped in his tracks, this time by the sight that greeted him. Torso parallel to the floor, hair moved to expose her neck, Inu Yasha found his sword being offered up to him. Caught off guard, he found his hand reclaiming Tetsusaiga and returning it to its sheath. Relieved of their offering her hands moved to complete her bow.

"Feh!" Trying to disguise how much she had impressed him, Inu Yasha turned and stalked out of the hut, feeling just a little disturbed by the whole thing.

Naosu remained bowed until she was sure that he had exited the small shelter. Even in the persisting silence she could feel the difference in the room. He would allow her to travel with them. Everything was beginning to fall into place, as planned.