The last of the sun's dying light glimmered through the cracks of the old shrine casting a hazy orange glow on those who emerged from the ancient well. Kagome hefted herself over the lip of the well, finding herself in a dank, musty well house. Her heart tugged at the nostalgic feeling that washed over her, causing her to shiver despite the warmth of the summer day.

Home. She thought as she surveyed the place she hadn't seen in so long. The old artifacts her grandpa had annoyingly bestowed her on her special days were neatly organized along the dusty shelves. She walked to investigate, the wood creaking in demonstration of its age. She brushed her hand along the relics, the reminders of her youth. She remembered how Gramps rambled on about a historical legend that was tied to every single thing that existed today. She wondered, with a sad smile, if his last words were another of his tales.

She could imagine him vaguely in the hospice, the nurses surrounding him and nodding to his amazing stories the history behind health and beauty. Perhaps even mother and Sota were there, shedding tears as he relayed stories of the past. Stories of her. Kagome bent her head, wondering how fast times had changed. She came to at a hand softly resting itself on her shoulder. She shrugged off the light burden, turning to face Kisho and the rest of her group that followed her to the future.

"You okay?" Kisho asked, appearing a bit annoyed that she shook off his comfort.

Kagome nodded. "Yep, did everyone make it?"

She peered over his shoulder and saw them observing their new surroundings. Shippo, Sakiko, Sango, Miroku, and Shokora were in awe as they witnessed an electrical fan caressing their sweating faces. Keiko, Hiroshi, Akina, and Amaya delicately picked up the artifacts, their eyes alight with interest in learning more.

"This is where you used to live Kagome? It's not bad. Not really." Kisho said.

Kagome shook her head. "No, not in here."

Everyone looked at her, eager for more exploring. Kagome pushed on the shrine doors, opening it with a resonating creak. She heard gasps behind her as the world she grew up in was fully exposed to her companions. Tall buildings replaced looming trees and the air was pungent with the smell of gas and motor vehicles. She turned to see everyone, with the exception of the puzzled faces of the humans, crinkling their noses in distaste.

"The hell is that god awful stench!" Kisho complained, his hand held protectively over his sensitive nostrils.

"That would be the smell of the city."

"Where are the trees?" Sakiko asked.

"Deforestation. We cut down trees to make room for buildings. Homes and jobs and stuff."

"But why the trees! They're fun to climb and really pretty." Shippo complained.

Kagome began to step out and everyone else followed her, their minds absorbed in the new world as she closed the shrine's doors. They waited for her to take lead and without hesitation, followed her to a bigger shrine. Kagome examined her old home, where she was burdened with the stress of school and keeping up with her priestess training in another dimension.

"This, was where I used to live." Kagome replied.

"Wow. It's huge!" Keiko giggled, excited to run inside the house.

Hiroshi silently concurred with his girlfriend. Shippo and his partner whistled to show their approval and the sisters could only stare. Kagome figured this would be the first time her friends saw something this colossal that wasn't a demon. Sango and Miroku held hands as they trekked up the long flight of stairs.

Finally, they reached the Higurashi shrine. It seemed odd to Kagome that her grandpa wasn't outside sweeping the front or just standing guard. She also didn't hear any noises of clattering tools from the shed. It was like the shrine was vacant. Kisho passed her, not distracted at all by her sudden halt. Kagome snapped back to the present and followed him, everyone else closely behind.

The stone path curved up to the house, lined prettily with rosebushes. The windows were tinted dark, Kagome couldn't see anything beyond it. Finally, the door was in plain sight, squeezed between a patch of small trees. Kagome pushed past Kisho and pressed on the doorbell. Sakiko, Kisho, Shokora, and Shippo flexed their claws at the sudden buzz.

"It's ok, it's a doorbell." Kagome reassured.

"What's a doorbell Kagome?" Shippo questioned.

"Well, it's a bell on everyone's houses to let them know that someone is at their doorstep."

"Sounds stupid, why not just knock?" Kisho snorted, earning a glare from Kagome.

"Because sometimes, people don't hear the knocking."

"Why? Are they deaf?" Hiroshi asked.

"No, sometimes people are too busy listening to loud noises that they don't hear knocking."

"Why would they listen to loud noise?" Kisho asked.

"They would either be watching TV or vacuuming, or running water, or a lot of things."

Everyone still looked mystified, but the questions ended. Kagome figured it was because they didn't catch on to anything she explained so they gave up. She sighed, thinking the world will just have to teach these things to them, just like it did Inuyasha. The trouble he got himself into was really what made him learn more about her world than what she taught him.

The door slowly pulled open, revealing a woman in her early thirties. Her curly brown hair was messily pulled up into a bun. Her kimono was stained with dirt, but her brown eyes were lively at the thought of company or perhaps customers.

"Yes, how may I help you?"

"Excuse me for bothering you, but are you Mrs. Higurashi?" Kagome asked.

The lady nodded. "Yes, I am Hitomi Higurashi."

Kagome jumped. "Hitomi Higurashi? My little brother married you!"

Hitomi blinked. "I beg your pardon?"

"It's me! Kagome Higurashi!"

"Kagome? Sota's sister? But, you went missing for twenty years!"

"What?"

"Yes, Sota told me you were kidnapped and you have been missing for twenty years. We all assumed you were dead." She looked her over, her face becoming more perplexed. "It looks like you haven't aged at all. That's strange."

"I guess Sota never told you the truth."

"The truth?"

"Look, may I come in? I'll explain everything."

Hitomi was still confused, but she nodded. She let Kagome in, and when she did, she noticed the odd creatures behind her. Her eyes nearly popped out of her head as they advanced. She went to shut the door on them, when Kagome said softly, "It's ok, they're my friends."

"Friends!" Hitomi exclaimed, as the creatures poured into her house.

"Hitomi! Honey! Who was at the door!"

Kagome turned, seeing her little brother a grown man. His hair wasn't as short as she remembered, it came down to brush his shoulders, but it was still as dark as midnight. His pale blue eyes were light with wisdom he acquired over the years. He also wasn't as scrawny anymore, but actually quite muscular judging from the ripples beneath his shirt.

Sota stood at the doorway, his jaw slightly ajar. His eyes wide open as though he were seeing a ghost and not his sister. His sister who was rumored to have been kidnapped and killed, but her corpse was never discovered. Sota, their mom, and Gramps were the only ones who knew the truth, that Kagome left to be with Inuyasha. After a while, they even told Kagome's friends too, but they were sworn to secrecy. It wasn't like they could do much anyways, they'd probably be ruled as insane for suggesting their friend went off to marry a half demon from another dimension.

Now, here she was. She didn't look a day older than she did when she said her final goodbye. Sota blushed as remembered how he kept his emotions together as he embraced her for the final time, being strong for himself, for her, and for his family. After she was gone, he went straight to his sister's bedroom, a place forbidden to him, and wept into her pillow. After a time, his mom and Gramps entered the room and they all cried together. They all took turns praying for Kagome's happiness and their strength.

A week later, after being harassed by the school, his mom filed a missing person report in Kagome's name. It wasn't like they could explain her absence, because when the truth came out, they would most likely be convicted of child endangerment or neglect. Sota never told anyone, not even his dearest friends or his girlfriend about the truth of his sister. In fact, it was the sympathy Hitomi felt for him that drew them closely together. They were each other's first kiss and possibly, their last. It was a blissful wedding, but as Sota observed the crowd, he found himself missing his sister. Those affections he had for her never ceased overtime, and now seeing her, he could feel that spark ignite within his being, and a wide grin spread on his face.

"Kagome! Is it really you!"

Kagome smirked. "Oh Sota! You've grown, my little brother isn't so little anymore."

She walked over to him, embracing him tightly. She squeaked when he lifted her, circling around with her wildly. Kagome laughed wholeheartedly and he set her down, immediately receiving a kiss on his cheek. Kagome smiled as he returned the favor, remembering the times when he would scurry around furniture just to elude her cootie filled kisses. Their display of affection astonished everyone watching them, except Hitomi. Perhaps Kagome needed to see someone from her past life to bring back her old self.

"Wow, Kagome. You don't look a day older from the last time I've seen you."

"I know, I still look eighteen, but I can explain."

"Yeah, you have better."

They turned to look at Hitomi, whose eyebrows were raised and everyone else just looked confused. Sota smiled. "Honey, why don't you brew up some tea for our guests and we just lounge on the couch and talk."

"Sounds good dear." Hitomi replied, and disappeared into the kitchen.

"So, are you going to introduce me?"

Kagome nodded. "He's my little brother Sota. Sota, that's Kisho, Sakiko, Shippo, Shokora, Amaya, Sakiko's daughter Keiko, Akina, Hiroshi, Sango, and Miroku.."

Sota gasped as he observed Miroku and Sango. He recalled those stories his sister relayed to him about her adventures in the Feudal era. He knew so much about her friends that they had become almost like celebrities to him. However, and he frowned at this, his idol, the man he looked up to, his should be now brother-in-law was not present.

"Where is Inuyasha?"

He noticed the downcast shadows that crossed over the occupants faces, except for Kagome. She only dropped her gaze as she murmured, almost inaudibly. "He was killed."

Sota widened his eyes. "Impossible, the Inuyasha?"

Kagome nodded. "Yep, hard to believe huh?"

A tear slipped from his eye. "Yes, it is hard to believe."

Just then, Hitomi entered with a platter of ten cups of tea. She set it down on the coffee table and everyone had a spot on the couch. Hitomi and Sota sat together on the smallest couch while Kagome was squeezed between everyone else, save for Shippo, Shokora, Amaya, Hiroshi and Keiko who found comfort on the soft carpet.

Sota started off, relaying the story to Hitomi about the absolute truth behind his sister's case. He apologized keeping it from her, but with a smile she showed she understood why her husband was in a bind. She looked at Kagome, doubts surfacing in her mind from the insanity of the story, but seeing the proof in her own home quelled those second thoughts. Kagome went next, introducing everyone to Hitomi.

"Kisho is a full fledged demon, but I promise, he's harmless. Sakiko is a half demon and this is her adopted daughter, Keiko. That's Shippo and-"

Sota jumped, interrupting his sister. "Now I remember! You're the fox kitsune that Kagome boasted about."

Shippo smiled, his pride glimmering in his emerald orbs. Amaya sighed. "I bet she told you about my awesome transformation powers that I perfected over the years."

"No, nothing about powers. Just that you were adorable."

Shippo scowled, but then nodded and smirked. "Yeah, I really was cute, huh Kagome?"

Shokora smiled slyly. "Yes, you were so cute, what happened?"

Shippo glared at her jestingly. "Why you-"

Amaya watched their exchange then looked away, sighing. She curled her legs closer around her, falling back into her detached world.

With a dark edge to her tone Sango told the story about Saigen and their thirst for vengeance. Kagome also explained how the Shikon jewel could exist right now in this era, making Sota feel uneasy. Kagome noticed her brother's disposition change and questioned, "What's wrong?"

"It's just that, I remember how the well only allowed you and Inuyasha to pass. It even denied me when you ordered me to go down the well and ask Inuyasha for help against that flesh eating mask. Now, it allowed other demons over with you. I'm just nervous that maybe it's open to anyone who wants to get through."

Hitomi became fearful. "Demons are-"

Sota drew her into his arms. "Don't worry love, I'll protect you."

Hitomi smiled. "My brave Sota."

"Says the man that was scared to go down into the well house to get a cat." Kagome teased.

Sota glared, but his playful smile never wavered. "I was a boy then, besides, you were also skittish about going inside the well house."

"I had a good reason, right? I was pulled down the well after picking up Buyo."

"Yeah, that was freaky." Then he snickered. "Also kinda funny. You should've seen your face sis."

Kagome glared. "I was freaked out of my mind. How was I suppose to expect some strange centipede to grab me and hurl me into a time traveling… thing!"

"You didn't, that's why your face was so priceless!"

"Why you little-"

"Ah, not little anymore. I'm a grown, mature man."

"You forgot old."

"I'm not old! You were born before me!"

"Yeah, but I look much younger than you!"

"You had a half demon for a boyfriend, you two probably did something weird together! No fair!"

"And you call yourself mature."

"I am too mature!"

"Are not!"

"Are so!"

"Drop dead!"

"You first!"

"You'll beat me to it!"

Hitomi sighed and shook her head. "No matter how much time passed, you are still brother and sister. I guess I should expect these little quarrels."

Kagome and Sota had stood during their argument and their faces were an inch close. Sota's skin flushed from the invigorating fight. Kagome leaned back on her heels, herself quite flustered. Then Sota cracked a smile and laughed so carefree that his sister couldn't resist a tiny grin. He laughed, but to the confusion of his audience, he swept up Kagome in a strangling embrace and cried on her shoulder.

"I've missed you sis."

Kagome slid her arms around him, that twinge of warmth beginning to return. In response, she held her brother tighter, willing this feeling to stay. "I've missed you too Sota."

Kagome dreaded asking her next questions, but sucked in a breath and steeled herself for what ever travesty had been bestowed on her family in her absence. "Sota, how are Gramps and Mom?"

Both Sota and Hitomi saddened, which tugged at Kagome's heartstrings. Shippo, Sango, and Miroku, who recalled the stories Kagome would tell them about her family, scooted closer to Kagome, ready to offer their condolences. Sota, as a way to steal comfort, closed his hand around his wife's, swallowing and then beginning.

"Gramps died about seven years ago. It wasn't an illness, it was just his time to go I guess. We noticed he was weaker than usual and one morning, we just couldn't wake him up. We take solace in the fact that he wasn't in any pain. We buried him near the tool shed, where he took pride in his ancient artifacts. We even buried the Higurashi scroll with him."

Kagome nodded, she had a feeling her grandpa wouldn't live this long. She made a mental note to herself to visit his grave and pray for him. "And, what about Mom?"

"Mom's great. She's really missed you though as we all have. She met someone too, shortly after Hitomi and I married. She said she felt lonely and Hitomi set her up with a friend of her mother's. His name is Arata Kimura and mom fell in love with him almost at first sight. I promised her I would take over the Higurashi shrine and now she lives with our step dad in Kyoto. He's a really nice guy Kagome, I think you will really like him."

"He treats Mama well?"

"Yeah, I've never seen mom more happy than she is with him."

Hitomi stood, clapping her hands together. "Well, I'm sure you are all probably famished. Allow me to make dinner."

Then Hitomi turned for the kitchen, prompting Kagome's hungry party to follow her inside. It was only Sota and Kagome left in the room, brother and sister who haven't seen each other in two decades, finally reunited.