This fic is hereby dedicated to O-Mega Lead, who pretty much gave me the entire plot.

Feel free to bash me with heavy objects for taking so dang long to update.

Oh, and I don't own InuYasha.

The First Step

It had been more than a week. Kagome had shown no signs of wanting to go back to the Feudal Era. And InuYasha's patience was wearing thin.

"You know you can't hide out here forever," he remarked quietly, sitting beside her on her bed.

She rolled onto her side, turning her back to him. "I know," she mumbled.

He sighed inwardly. "I understand that it's scary for you, but you can't let your fears get the better of you. Don't be weak, Kagome."

She was silent for some time, before finally turning over to face him. "I'll try, InuYasha," she whispered, closing her eyes.

A small smile appeared on his face, and he gently took her hand in his, watching her as she drifted off into sleep.

"I know."

Kagome stood beside the well, and took a deep breath. "I can do this," she said to herself, refusing to back down.

"You ready?" InuYasha asked. When she nodded, he picked up her yellow backpack, once again bulging with supplies, and took her hand. "Then let's go." Together, they jumped into the well's depth, and were engulfed by the familiar blue light of time travel.

Climbing out on the other side, Kagome looked around warily. The shadows under the trees filled her with an uneasiness she had never felt before, and she shivered involuntarily. She jumped when InuYasha clapped a hand on her shoulder. "C'mon," he said in his usual gruff manner. "The others are waiting for us."

She looked at him and smiled, walking beside him as they made their way to the village. As long as InuYasha was himself, she'd be okay. It was normal, and it felt safe.

Crimson eyes flicked from the mirror to the figure standing pensively in the shadows.

"Find out what happened to the miko," a cold voice commanded.

The figure obediently slipped out into the dark corridor.

Shippo slept soundly, curled up in Kagome's lap as she sat with the others inside Kaede's hut. Night had fallen, and the quiet disturbed her, but she refused to let it show. She didn't want to worry her friends, no matter how afraid she was.

"Kagome," Sango said, breaking the silence.

"What is it, Sango?"

"Tomorrow, if you'd like, I want to start teaching you some self-defense. It's not that I think you're weak or anything. It's just that, fighting demons and fighting humans are completely different things."

Kagome smiled, much to Sango's relief. "Thanks, Sango. It would make me fell a whole lot safer."

Outside the hut, a lone saimyosho turned and flew off into the night.

"Wha' d'ya' mean? Ain't been no lassies like dat round 'ere.'

"Wait jus' a sec. Ya' mean tha' lass that knew 'ow tah fight? Tha' was more'n a week ago."

"An' tha' other lass wi' 'er, right?"

"Yeah, yeah."

"Hey, wha' the-"

"The man's dead!"

A shadowed figure smirked behind a fan, turning to leave. It had been easier than anticipated to gather the information needed.

Okay, I've actually got a real reason for taking forever to update this time. My internet connection was horrible, and I couldn't get anything uploaded. But it got fixed today! Yayness! So, please review!