Chapter 3 – Meeting the Legend

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Kagome walked the worn path as thoughts swarmed within her mind. This was her third day in this ere, which she discovered it was four hundred

years even further then Inuyasha's. Shaking her head a deep sigh crossed her lips; she had tended to seven people while in the village and the

woman who had been pregnant recovered quickly. Kagome had been glad it had only been a common cold. After that several villagers had come

to her, all from scrapes to even one who got injured when getting pinned under a tree. She congratulated herself for a job well done and playing

the priestess correctly. So ended up the small amount of training she had came in handy after all. Her gaze then scanned the empty trail ahead.

Ninsho had told her how to get to the next village from here, he had told her it was much larger then theirs and quite more crowded. The villagers

had even given her bow and arrows, so at least now she was protected more then she had been previously. Ninsho had said that the village she was going to has an elder priestess who knew much about curses, it was her specialty.

Kagome had been pondering if this priestess could perhaps aid her with her well problem, but then again Kagome kind of wondered if she could find the well again. For some reason she felt strangely like she was Kikiyo at this moment. Her left hand on her pack strap and her right holding

her bow in place; her raven hair flowing smoothly behind her in the late morning breeze. She missed her group dearly and wished they were here

to keep her company; she was alone now with the shards and in a strange world, with her only protection of her arrows. She missed Inuyasha's gruff voice and strong demeanor. The gossiping with Sango always helped the day go by more quickly and the monks calming aura, along with his

wisdom kept her worries a bay. Kagome didn't know if she could do this alone, not to mention she didn't know what trials she faced in this place. Several times she wondered if this just wasn't cruel prank played by fate to torture and make her life more complicated.

Shaking her head sharply to clear her thoughts she returned to stretching her senses to make sure no danger was coming. This was going to

become difficult if she was going to be alone the entire time here. Sleep would be minimal, but if she stuck to the villages it would be a lot simpler.

Ninsho had said it was a little over a days walk to get to the neighboring village, which is why she started at dawn, she hoped to get their before

dark. There was no way to find it at night considering her vision was limited even though she did have a flashlight. Coming to the conclusion at the next town she would need to earn some money, perhaps buy a horse, it would make things a lot quicker. She was searching for someone who would have the answer how to open the well once again, and get her back to the future. That was probably why Inuyasha did not come for her, he couldn't get through and I…couldn't get back. Twice now she was near to tears but she held them back, this was no time for this, the quicker she did this the quicker she could return to him. Inhaling sharply a determine look set in her features as she pushed herself to walk faster. She would get back to them all, no matter what she had to do.

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Luck must have been with her for she came to the town with out harm and about half hour before dark, the path hadn't been too rough to walk and she was glad for it. As Ninsho had told her it was much larger and many more people crowded around shops, even at near dusk. She caught a bit of piece of a conversation. The man had said some army was coming through tonight, that this was one of the largest villages on the border and the army would most likely camp here tonight. Kagome wanted nothing of that; she remembered how the warriors were in Inuyasha's time, they acted crudely and savage chasing woman around and abusing the villagers. Kagome then heard another bit of gossip from a woman chattering to an elder man. 'I heard the Lord's son is ill so he seeks a priestess who is mastered in healing arts, he has been scouting the villages.' Kagome paused a moment listening in. 'The Lord's only son ill? If he dies there will be such a war, we will all be slaughtered.' She heard the elder say. Kagome forced herself to more on, this couldn't be good and here she was at the village where they were seeking a priestess to heal. Swallowing hard she then spotted a large hut in the distance with a elder woman dressed in miko robes.

Kagome's heart leaped slightly with joy, as she forced herself through the crowd to make her way to the elder priestess, Kagome kept her eyes glued to her and within a few moments the gaze of the miko turned and clashed with her own. Her heart skipped a beat at that for she sensed something odd about the woman, she was powerful and kind but strange, like not human almost. Kagome soon found herself only a few feet from the priestess and watched her lower her head in a greeting and Kagome found herself returning the gesture. "Come Kagome." At the words Kagome's eyes widened, how did she know her name? Stepping to the elder the miko, Kagome was hustled into her hut which smelled strongly of herbs and brewing potions. Spinning on the woman Kagome watched the miko closed the door tightly. "I am lady Krintona, I am priestess here. You have trailed far Lady Kagome." The words echoed in Kagome's mind a moment before she shook herself out of her shocked state.

"Lady Krintona, I come to you for help, if by chance you can aid me. " Hesitating a moment Kagome watched Krintona walk to a table and sit, the

woman's hand went to a tea cup as she brought it to her lips and took a long drink. After a moment the cup went back to the table. Kagome

heard the lady speak again, her voice soft, near musical. "I know you have Kagome, you have come far, across time I assume." Mouth dropping

Kagome gawked, how did she know? Hearing the priestess laugh brought Kagome again from her thoughts. "Do not fret Kagome no one else

knows, I have many talents. All though I am not sure if I can help you with your predicament, the old well has had a strong dark magick placed

over it, the well is fighting the effects and caused it to alter and close. I do not have the power to help reverse the effects nor do I know who

placed the spell over it." Kagome's heart sank at her words as she took a deep breath. "But I do know of an ancient demon sorceress who

resides on the northern mountain, in the far Northern kingdom of course. She may have the answers to aid in your return to your proper time"

Kagome just sighed deeply and plopped down on the floor were she had stood. Just great, perfect she had to go clear across feudal Japan to go

to a sorceress who might be able to help her. Groaning loudly her hands went to her temples and rubbed before looking back to the other priestess who was raising a slender brow to her. "Do not despair Kagome, things will work out in time. Fate has an odd way of making sure. Come sit have tea and a meal, you may stay with me this night if you wish." Nodding Kagome stripped her bag and weapon from her back and moved to the table and plopped down, her legs were aching. She watched Krintona pour another cup and slide it across the table. Kagome felt comfortable in her presence like she had known her a long while, and not just ten minutes. Several questions came to mind so Kagome just opened her mouth and started asking. "What talents do you have, how did you know I was coming and were I was from? Who is this army the villagers are talking about and the Lord?" Kagome heard another laugh from the miko.

Krintona studied her guest a moment before answering. This girl was strong and a loving soul, selfless. "My talent is second sight Kagome; I had several visions of you three days ago when I assume you came into this era. As for the army, it belongs to the Western Lord, he seeks a healing miko for his son, he has gone through many of our kind and none can seem to help the boy." Sighing Krintona sipped her tea once more before continuing. "Watch yourself Kagome while the soldiers are here, they can be dangerous. They are searching for more healers I presume, but they shouldn't bother with us for I am a spell caster not much of a healer besides herbs and potions and you are not even known of, they search for a healer who holds powers naturally." She watched Kagome nod and glance out the window were the last few rays of light were fading from the darkening sky. "Kagome that power you hold about your neck, you must be very careful with it, especially tonight most of the army is of demons, they will sense it and desire it, as in your time. It is no different here. You must stay hidden"

Kagome nodded and sighed once more, she was going to be here forever at this rate. She had to travel clear across Japan, which could take a year! Groaning mentally she shoved the wooden cup forward, not really wanting to drink right now. How was she going to do this? Her attention was caught as several shouts were heard outside about the army approaching. She heard shuffling and boots cluttering outside as she assumed people were clearing out the area. Watching Krintona rise form her chair she heard the woman whisper softly. "Stay here Kagome." Nodding in answering her, the elder miko left Kagome to her own thoughts. The next she heard horses trotting in and a booming voice shout. "By law of the Lord of Western lands we are allowed to camp here this night. We search for any Priestesses you may have in this village to come and aid the Lord himself who have healing abilities." Kagome then heard a man answer the demon who she assumed had shouted. All she could hear was muffled voices for a couple minutes until she heard Krintona's soothing voice.

"I am the only priestess who resides in this village and my strength isn't in healing, it is in spell casting Captain Santos, so there is no point in remaining here long." Kagome held her breath hearing those words, Krintona was protecting her. Kagome's hand held over the jewel fragment casting a small barrier over the object as she chanted softly. It would only hold a couple hours so she had to get out of here. Her barriers never lasted long, she was too untrained. She would wait for things to settle and then make her way to the woods. The voices reached her ears once more from the captain. "My men will camp right outside the village we ask for only common hospitality. We will not harm anyone as long as they do not cause trouble for us." His voice faded from her mind once more. Within a few more minutes Krintona returned inside taking a deep breath before speaking. "I fear for the worst they are already eyeing some of the village girls, Kagome you must escape from here, I am sorry but I didn't think there would be so many of them." Kagome cut her words off. "It is fine Krintona; I need to go anyway I have placed a small barrier onto the shard to hide it for a while. I will wait a while till things settle, so then I will sneak away. I must ask about the sorceress, what mountain what is her name?" She watcher the elder take a deep breath before answering. "It is said to be the highest mountain on the last peak there is a cave which were she resides, her name is Lady Saskey." Kagome nodded to her as her gaze moved down the jewel fragment which she twiddled in between her pale fingers.

A scream was heard outside which drew both their attentions followed by a very upset lady's voice. "Release me horrid beast, I don't wish to go with you!" Krintona quickly hurried back out and an argument then started, within a few minutes another stern male voice pierced the early night. Kagome gripped slung her pack on and gripped her bow drawing an arrow and readied it on her string. She stepped out the back way and circled round to the small alley way which led back to the front, she peered around the corner to see Krintona being roughly handled and the other female was on her knees at a demon's feet. The stern voice came once more as it ordered for the release but the captor whined saying he was only having fun. Kagome saw four demons standing around, one which had three swords strapped to his waist and long silver hair hung down to his backside. That demon had his back to her but she also assumed it was the demon trying to get the female released.

There was two other demons standing near the silver haired one holding Krintona, and then the demon who held the girl, Kagome predicted she

could take them out if she was quick about it. Cursing beneath her breath she wished she was near anywhere but in this era. They were

discussing something, which Kagome couldn't quite hear, when her chocolate hues saw the demon roughly push Krintona down to her knees that

was the last straw. Her jaw setting in determination as her eyes narrowed slightly; her hand pulled the arrow taunt on the string as she stepped

out and raised her own voice. "Leave them alone." Kagome then had the attention of the entire group. Krintona shook her head mentally telling

her don't be stupid Kagome predicted. The silver haired demon had yet to turn and face her, his movement was slow as she watched his foot shift

on the dirt and slowly spun on heel facing the one who dare disturb his business. Kagome met pure golden eyes then which was set on a face

which had two bluish demonic stripes lacing his pale cheeks.

Near gasping her eyes widened as she realized who this was, the great dog demon lord Inutaisho, the father of her best friend and one of her greatest enemies. He was alive…?