I do not own Inuyasha and Co., nor do I make any money out of this. The idea for the plot used here, however, is solely mine.

- sunkissedemerald.

Truth

By sunkissedemerald

Chapter 1

The Prelude

It has been a whole one year since Naraku had been defeated and the shikon no kakera been put together and purified. It was a wonder that the well hadn't closed yet, for it seemed that Kagome had already fulfilled her purpose in the feudal era. Queries have always lingered at the back of her mind, wondering if there was more to it than what it seemed. Fate simply seemed kind to permit her to lead a double life, one in the feudal era and one in the modern days. It was just too hard to banish those haunting doubts, the fears that one day, the well would just suddenly refuse her entry into the world she'd grown to love.

Kagome hurried through the house, quickly putting together the things she needed for the journey back into the feudal era.

Hmmm… ramen, ramen, and more ramen… candy – check. First aid kit? Yes, all here. I'd better hurry back – Shippo gets upset when I take too long.

Kagome hummed happily to herself.

Time just flies so fast. She was now nineteen and in college. She also liked to think that she had grown more mature since the first trip to the feudal era. Physically speaking, Kagome was now a beautiful woman – well, barely. Okay, so she noticed the few curves that filled out here and there and of course, there was also her increase in height. She wasn't so sure though if the few inches were a good thing – she was almost an inch taller than Inuyasha now! Hah – talk about girlie insecurities – she's faced much, much more than that! She's been dangled at death's gaping jaws, injured, and manipulated emotionally; she could certainly deal with her personal monsters.

Yep, my personal monsters, Kagome contemplated to herself.

"Mom!"

"Honey, I'm doing the laundry!"

"Mom, I'm going!"

"Okay – just make sure you take care okay? And be back before school break ends!"

"Yes, Mom! I'll see you! And tell Souta not he's not allowed to play until he finishes his math homework!"

Outside the house, the sun was shining gleefully, and the birds were chirping enthusiastically. The age-old boughs of the goshinboku tree swayed to the early morning breeze.

Kagome paused, staring into the open-stretched arms of the weather-beaten but stalwart of a tree. The goshinboku is one of the few things that remained constant tall throughout her adventures, and for that she was forever grateful. Moving around so much, traversing different paths that spanned two wholly different eras -a girl can handle only so much. Sometimes, during her idle moments, she wondered how her life would have been if she wasn't forcefully pulled back into the well to land right in the middle of the feudal era. Perhaps, she could've done better academically; maybe she could've been popular amongst her peers. There were just so many what-ifs that her head hurt whenever she thought about it. She could not, however, deny that her escapades in the past had played a big part in shaping who she is today. Kagome wouldn't be Kagome if she had never gone into the past.

Quietly, Kagome sighed. It's better to simply accept things the way they are. It's asking for trouble to shift through all that happens, between the truths and the lies...

She just couldn't help but feel that something was amiss.

The cool morning breeze gentlly blowed around her, nature's morning symphony climaxing into a startled silence.

"Kagome!"

"And a good morning to you too, Grandpa," Kagome bowed respectfully.

"You are going back?"

"Eh - well, Grandpa, hah, well, kinda', but I'm going to be okay, and I'll be - "

"It's good then that I saw you when I did!" Kagome's grandfather marked enthusiastically. "See here? What do you think this is?"

"Grandpa," Kagome began warily, her feet shifting.

"It's an enchanted mirror! I've seen this before, and I'd say that this is the family heirloom..." And her grandpa continued on his renowned monologues about protective charms and legendary, powerful creature that used to inhabit the earth. To her consternation, she found the mirror shoved into her hands, and without further ado, her grandpa pushed her on her way.

Kagome stared at the old man traipse the trodden shrine steps with a large broom in tow. She knew that her grandfather worried about her, even if he didn't voice his concerns. Sighing, instead, she pocketed the mirror, taking care not to crack it in the process.

She was finally able to make it to the old well house, and again, she felt a feeling of cold dread rise in her heart.

This is ridiculous. Come on, Kagome! You've friends waiting for you on the other side of this well.

However, she couldn't shake that cold feeling. Something wasn't right. She knew it, however much she tried to push the feeling away.

It took a valiant amount of effort to get herself to lift a hand to the door of the well house, and slowly, inch by inch, the well came into view.

Soft sunlight filtered into the well house. It seemed that even the sun's jolly rays couldn't warm the cold aura surrounding her this morning. The well, however, remained as innocent and as harmless as ever.

But I know better.

Kagome scoffed mentally. She was letting her imagination run away again.

"Onee-sama!"

For a moment, Kagome's footstep faltered, and she teetered at the doorframe. Before she knew what was happening, she fell face forward. A small weight was on top of her small form and a smaller pair of arms encircled her waist.

"Urghmmm! Shouddaaa, gerroff!"

"Oh! Sorry! Onee-sama! What are you doing with your face in the dirt?"

Oh, he's such a cute, innocent kid - how'd love to hoe my foot in...

Kagome, pushing herself up into a more decent position, finally faced the reason why she felt annoyed so early in the morning.

"Yes, Souta?"

"Onee-sama! Good morning!"

"Is there any particular reason why you're all perky and cheerful so early in the morning?"

"Oh, it's nothing... I just..."

"Spit it out, Souta."

"I..."

"What?"

"I... Well, it's just that... I wanted to see you before you went away again."

"Oh."

"And... um, well..."

"Yes?"

"I was wondering…"

"Wondering?"

"Well…"

"What?"

"…ifyou'dhelpmewithsomethingwhenyoureturn..."

Kagome stared at his brother blankly.

Souta let out an exasperated sigh. "I'm asking for your help, okay?"

Kagome felt her eyes widen in surprise. It was rare that her brother admitted weakness, and it was even rarer that he asked for help, most especially from her.

Bowing her head, she smiled.

"So... Onee-sama... What do you say?" Souta smiled cheerfully.

Kagome threw her head back and roared out a resounding laugh, making Souta shift uncomfortably.

"ONEE-SAMA! IT'S NOT FUNNY!"

"Of course... it's... not... I..."

"Onee-sama! Fine! It was a bad idea anyway!"

"Souta!"

"What?"

"Okay! I'll help!"

And as quickly as he the sourgrape turned sour, Souta spun on his heel, flashed his sister his biggest, happiest smile, and ran for the house, but not before giving his sister a hug.

Kagome picked herself up from the floor, wiping the laughter-induced tears from her eyes.

"I'll try to be here for you, Souta..."

It was a quiet whisper of a promise.

Shuffling to the brim of the well, she looked into the darkness.

"Well, here goes."

Kagome jumped into the well, a warm blue light flashing in her wake.

All was quiet once again.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a bright golden light engulfed the well. Time stopped its motions, and everything hanged suspended.

For a few moments, the world stood still.

Then nature suddenly sprang to life. Time moved once again. The birds chirped, the sun shone, and the city resumed its early morning hustle and bustle.