Chapter 3

Fatal Visit

Kagome got dressed in her kimono, tying the obi securely. Inuyasha sat outside, waiting for her and Heiwa played in the grass as she waited.

Today they were going to visit 'Kagome's world'… or more accurately, the future. Kagome still wasn't sure about Heiwa visiting, although she had visited once and Mama had loved her to bits, but the little girl didn't really belong in that world.

"Ofukuro…" said a voice hesitantly. "Can we go now?"

Kagome glared at Inuyasha as she stuck her head outside. 'Ofukuro' was a word which Inuyasha used for calling his mother and Kagome didn't want Heiwa to use it… Heiwa seemed to get the message too.

"Kaa-san?"

"Coming, coming… Let's go." Kagome smiled and took Heiwa's hand and they walked off leaving Inuyasha behind.

"OY! You could have told me you were going! Wait up, you!" Inuyasha waved his sword around pathetically.

They clambered out of the well… or Kagome did at least. Inuyasha and Heiwa were out in a flash, courtesy of their youkai strength.

"Yaah!" Inuyasha and Heiwa nearly fell over backwards into the well again as they were ambushed by Mama and Souta. The whole family hugged quickly.

"ba-san! Souta-san!" Heiwa greeted her grandmother and uncle cheerfully. Then Inuyasha realized something… Why was Heiwa wearing a dog-eared headband?

Shippo and Kirara clambered up the hill and down the road towards the village. Midoriko sensed their approach and so turned from her conversation with Kikyo and waved. Although it had only been six years since the Shikon had been reformed, Shippo had grown a lot. Shippo was now quite tall, not as tall as Kirara, a fully grown youkai, but taller at least. Kirara ran by his side now, same height as he, being able to choose her height. Shippo was also a bit surprised as to why she didn't use her nekoyoukai form as much anymore. He himself had begun to use his true form more but still preferred his usual ningen appearance with the bushy tail and fox feet. He stumbled and Kirara transformed as she caught him and continued to run towards the village.

"We have news!" Shippo yelled as they came close to Midoriko and Kikyo. "We finally found where Naraku has been!"

Midoriko and Kikyo were surprised. They couldn't sense Naraku themselves and so had no idea. Even Kikyo's Soul snatchers hadn't been able to find out.

"We can reach there in a day if we hurry. Get on!"

Midoriko and Kikyo scrambled onto the backs of the transformed kitsune and neko and they were off.