A/N: I'm trying to keep the writing simple, not just for quick updates, but also to mimic the original style of the Magic Tree House series for younger readers. Though it's going to be tough watching Inuyasha's mouth. ;)

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More Time Travelers

Jack rubbed his head and groaned when he saw that the tree house was nowhere in sight. "Well, it looks like it worked. Now what?"

"Shh!" Annie turned around with a finger to her lips. "Look at him!"

"How can you tell it's a him?" Jack whispered back.

"Shh! I don't want to scare him."

The him was the odd-looking boy they'd seen in the picture just before the tree house transported them. Suddenly Jack noticed the worn-out hilt of a sword at the stranger's side. He doubted this was the kind of person who got scared easily. Also, in real life, that boy they'd seen in the picture suddenly looked older, much older than Jack. He must have been a teenager.

"Maybe we should greet him."

"No!" Jack hissed. "He could be trouble. Don't you see that sword?"

"We've met nice warriors before." Then Annie realized that didn't need to run up to him. He was already marching right toward her.

"Who the heck are you brats?" The older boy blinked strange golden eyes that reminded Annie of a little dog she had once found. His hair was even white like fur.

"Hi!" Annie piped and introduced herself and her brother. "Who are you? We're on a mission here. See the directions written on the paper? Can you help us?"

The ears on atop the boy's head flattened to the sides, just like a real dog's. "Name's Inuyasha and – hey! One thing at a time!" Inuyasha backed up a bit as Annie stuffed the haiku into his hands. "Jeez, you remind me of another twerp I know. Calm down!"

"Sorry, but this is so exciting!" Annie bubbled. Behind her, Jack shuffled closer. This new guy was staring at them awful hard. What was his problem? And what kind of person had dog ears in the first place?

"How did you kids get here, anyway?" Inuyasha arched an eyebrow.

"Magic," Annie said, smiling. Then she added, "We have a tree house that takes us places and then we have to find something wherever we go and bring it back. Last time – "

"Okay! Okay!" Inuyasha's hands flew up, almost to stop the stream of the little girl's chatter. "If it ain't one thing, it's another," he grumbled. "So you're sayin' that if you find whatever you need here, you can leave?"

"Yes, that's right!" Jack quickly interrupted. "Then we can leave." He said the last two words glaring at his sister. Only she wasn't paying attention.

The well that Inuyasha had been standing over earlier suddenly erupted with a dazzling light. A young teenage girl in what looked like a school uniform climbed out, struggling with a huge yellow backpack.

"Wow!" Annie grinned. "Do you get time travelers around here a lot?"

Jack noticed how Inuyasha groaned and rubbed his hand behind his neck, gold-yellow eyes rolling up. This was going to be a long adventure.