It really was a strange thing, feeling the well come to life under her feet. She stood in a small fit of shock for a few seconds, gazing into the familiar shaded sunlight of the feudal era. The vines grew heavier than she remembered, but Kagome knew the smell; a sweet mixture of flowers and clean air she'd unconsciously memorized in her countless adventures. She grasped the nearest sturdy-looking vine, and tugged slightly; testing its strength. The dirt beneath her feet stirred slightly as she began to climb the leathery rope, a dusty brown cloud followed her slowly to the top.
This would be so much easier if I had a ladder...or something, Kagome grumbled to herself as she grasped the edge of the well.
Her toes dug into the dirt wall and she hauled herself over the well's lip.
How did I ever do this in a skirt?
Kagome shook her head as she dusted the dirt from her jeans. She straightened her now slightly-dirty shirt and looked around her. The trees were dense and the brush overgrown. The air was warm and slightly humid, and circled around her waist as she began to walk the all-too-familiar path to Kaede's village.
Oh, it feels so strange to be back... I wonder how everyone is doing.
She stepped into the meadow, and halted; kicking up a few small rocks that scattered into the bush.
Shippou...
It didn't take but a few seconds for him to spot her, and squeal. She smiled broadly as he leapt into her arms. It was then she noticed his playmate.
That's the girl from the photo.
"Kagome, I can't believe you're back. I thought I was never gonna see you again!" She looked down into the little kit's eyes; they sparkled to the brim with happiness.
"I missed you too, Shippou." She smiled as he squealed again and threw his arms around her neck. Kagome looked up to see the girl standing in front of them.
"You're Bailey, aren't you?" The girl jumped slightly, and then nodded her head.
"How did you know her name, Kagome?" Shippou looked up at her expectantly.
"You're friend Yoko came looking for you. I recognized you from the picture." Bailey opened her mouth to respond, but was cut off by the loud thump of a hanyou landing. Bailey looked from the half-demon to Kagome, and registered the looks in both their eyes. She cleared her throat slightly.
"Come on, Shippou. I…uh… need you to help me change this bandage." Catching the small wink she gave him, the kit smiled and leapt from Kagome's arms. He walked alongside Bailey as they traveled back towards the village.
"Inuyasha…I…" Kagome floundered. Her heart was threatening to jump out of her throat.
"Kagome…it's really you…isn't it?" She nodded.
"Yeah, it's me alright…So…how've you been? It's been a while…uh...How's Kikyou?" He flinched at the name. Kagome threw her gaze to the ground. "Sorry, it's not really any of my business…"
Inuyasha closed the distance between them and hugged her tightly.
"I…I missed you, Kagome." His words were a whisper, but she heard them clear as day. She returned the hug, with gusto. She inhaled his scent, one that was so distinctly his that it took her breath away. His muscles tightened against hers, as she had longed for them to do for so long. Kagome pulled back, almost too quickly. Inuyasha quickly regained his balance, and looked at her confusedly.
"Inuyasha…I…I can't. Not again…I mean, you have Kikyou…and...I…I won't go through it again." She began to distance herself, but he caught her arm. She forced herself to look at him. His eyes…they were the same… and yet they weren't. Something hid within the confines of his golden irises, something begging to claw its way out. She blinked, and it was gone.
What happened while I was gone?
"Inu...yasha?" He smirked at her.
"Come on, let's go see Kaede."
Kagome cast a glance in Inuyasha's direction. He caught her gaze and returned it with his own. She still found it odd how he'd changed in the few years she'd been gone. And she still hadn't seen Kikyou. It began to make her extremely uncomfortable, and she was sure the ever-sharp hanyou had picked up on her mood.
Kagome realized she was still ogling the Hanyou.
She quickly cast her eyes to the fire in front of her, on which a stew was brewing. Kagome could smell the spices Kaede favored; their heavy scent filled with her with the sharp pang of nostalgia. She remembered her very first trip to the Feudal era. Though she hadn't been exactly welcomed on sight, it was still one of the best memories she had.
Inuyasha shifted in his position next to her. He still held his father's sword, and his garish red kimono. In all appearances he was the same hanyou she left behind those years ago.
Upon her return to the village she'd been tense; anticipating Kikyo's appearance at every corner. But she'd caught no sight of the priestess as they strolled down the dirt paths. Once they'd reached Kaede's, she expected Inuyasha to drop her off and head to his and Kikyo's hut, like he had the day before she'd left for the last time. Instead he accompanied her inside; waited through her and Kaede's reunion, and now sat to her left while they gathered around the cooking food.
Kagome had never known the half-demon to be so quiet; it began to worry her. She shifted her weight on the matted floor, the straw crunched as she moved.
"So, have you heard from Sango and Miroku lately?" Kagome ventured, attempting to shake her thoughts. Kaede shook her head.
"I'm afraid I have not. The last news I received was their move to a village in the south," The old woman responded. Kagome bit her lip in thought.
"If you want, I could take you there, Kagome," Inuyasha interjected.
Kagome jumped at his break of silence. It was unlike him to do anything but huff at conversation. Kagome had an odd sense of vertigo, but she found herself nodding at the hanyou.
"I think I'd like that," she responded, still staring at Inuyasha. He continued to stare back, as if trying to tell her something without speaking. She blushed furiously and threw her gaze back to the fire.
A child's squeal of delight came from outside the hut. A few seconds later Shippou bounded through the entrance, and promptly landed in Kagome's lap. She cuddled the kit, and he began to tell her about his adventuring with his new playmate. Bailey arrived a moment later, hobbling less than she'd been when Kagome first arrived. Kagome looked up from Shippou's rendition of running through the meadows to smile at Bailey.
"How's your ankle?" Kagome asked.
"It's much better. Those herbs worked wonders," She responded, before sitting next to the fire. She inhaled deeply, and nodded to Kaede. "The stew smells great."
The old woman smiled slightly at the girl while stirring the large pot on the fire.
"Why, thank'ee child. I think it's nearly done now. Kagome, would yee mind fetching the bowls from the corner?"
Kagome nodded, and stood to allot the task sent her way. The wooded implements clanked together, a sound so familiar it was almost reassuring.
"So, you've traveled here before?" Bailey questioned, as Kagome handed the bowls over to Kaede, who began to fill them with delicious stew. Kaede dispensed the bowls, with the care expected of handling hot food.
"Yes, many times." Kagome answered.
"So…how do I...Uh we get back?"
Kagome smiled as she took the offered food.
"As soon as we eat, I'll show you."