Author's Notes:

Chapter Six: Home At Last

Rated - M (for suggestive adult themes, references to some violence, and coarse language)

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

This particular yokai stared at her from atop a thundercloud. He was huge and grotesque to behold. The yokai chuckled with mirth. "I have found double the prize! The Shikon Jewel and a beautiful woman who's holding it for me." He squealed with glee, "Oooiieeee, Brother will be so jealous!"

Kagome whipped out her bow and pulled an arrow free in expert motion. "Yeah, I don't think so!" Pulling the bowstring back, she released a shot that held true. At least, it would have held true had the yokai not taken a large breath and expelled a fire breath incinerating everything in its path, including the spiritual arrow. Kagome was unprepared for the assault and only had a split second to dodge the incoming blast. She leaped to the side, crashing on her knees and elbows. Though she had managed to clear the fire, she could still feel the heat that singed the bottom of her robes.

She quickly stood up and aimed another arrow. This yokai was much stronger than the few she had encountered, and she was not sure of her chances alone, and she was woefully unprepared for such an assault. The yokai floating above her laughed maliciously, clearly aware of her predicament. "Silly human. You are no match for me! Not I, Manten of the Thunder Clan!"

Kagome knew he was right. She couldn't risk drawing him back to the village where he could wreak havoc, but she couldn't just give up. "What makes you think I am alone?" she fibbed, trying to buy some time for herself to think.

"Do you think I'm stupid?" he yelled from above. "I saw you come out here alone."

"That was the idea, nitwit! Make you think I'm alone to catch you off guard!" she lied, and 'Not very convincingly,' she thought. Thankfully, this yokai didn't seem too bright.

"Then where are your companions? Have them come out and face me!" he bellowed.

"They aren't going to come out just because you yell for them. You have to go in there and find them," she said, pointing into a wooded area off the path.

The yokai, Manten, scratched at his large head, thumbing at the few hairs on his scalp. "In there you say?"

Kagome nodded, "Yes, and you had better be careful. They are awfully strong!"

"Okay. You wait here then, girl. I shall defeat these strong companions of yours and then come back for my prize. Brother will be so envious to hear I defeated a mighty foe AND collected the Shikon Jewel!" Manten rubbed his hands together greedily and, on his thundercloud, disappeared into the wooded area.

'Thank goodness this idiot fell for it!' Kagome thought as she sprinted away in the opposite direction. She wasn't sure how much time she would have before the brute realized he had been duped and came after her. She could catch him off guard with one of her arrows if she could get some distance between them.

It was only a couple of moments before she heard loud cracks of thunder, indicating Manten realized he had been tricked. She ran through the brush and trees before deciding on a spot to hide and wait. She slid into a small clearing behind a bush.

She could hear the thunder growing louder and the cursing of the yokai. Kagome tried to quiet her breathing, slowing her heartbeat to concentrate on eliminating this threat. The loud thunderclaps were almost upon her, so she took a deep breath in anticipation, focusing her aim. One eye closed, and her head tilted; she waited...and waited.

Precious seconds passed, and the malicious yokai did not pass. She lowered the bow and listened. A resounding boom echoed from behind her. She could feel the blood drain from her face and knew she would not have enough time to leap out of the way this time. Somehow the yokai, Manten, had stumbled upon her from behind and was now about to eliminate her with his fire breath.

Kagome, not ready to give up despite the odds, threw herself out of the way. Given the timing of her jump, she knew she wouldn't get far, but she had to try. The last blast had been about five feet wide, and she wasn't sure if she could get far with so little time. As she lunged, she was positive she would not make it out of the blast field. She could already feel the heat from the fire upon her as consciousness slipped away. Oddly enough, she recalled seeing that flash of red from earlier and then feeling nearly weightless. Apparently, strange things occurred as you died, like seeing colors and feeling strange sensations aside from the searing hot pain she had expected.

On the edge of consciousness, Kagome could feel something leaning over her. The sensation of being watched was perturbing, especially with her eyes closed. She jolted awake, thrusting a fist toward the unknown presence she felt. Her eyes bulged, and a gasp escaped her lips while she came to.

Vaguely, she realized that her hand throbbed and brought it to her face to examine it closely. It finally dawned on her that her fist had connected with someone. Likely a skull from the smarting her knuckles felt. But when she took a preemptive look around, she saw nothing.

'So, I'm not dead?' was her first thought. Her limbs were all still intact. Nothing had been burnt off, and she felt no pain. 'Did someone rescue me?' she tried to recall. Then her eyes widened once again as panic set upon her. The Jewel! She reached to her chest and could feel its presence nestled between her breasts, its peculiar aura granting her comfort. 'Thank goodness no one had taken it.' As her sense of dread settled, she noticed her bow next to her. 'That made it, too. Good.' She wrapped her hand around the grip and held it firmly.

In the distance, Kagome could hear more peals of thunder. She sat upright and looked around. That yokai was somewhere out there, probably looking for her. But where was her savior? She had not rescued herself, had she? A sudden emergence of new powers seemed unlikely.

The sky had grown dark with clouds, but it was still light enough for Kagome to take note of her surroundings. Another section of the woods off of the road she had been traveling, Kagome suspected. It did not seem out of the ordinary; dead leaves, ferns, and other foliage trees, both old and new, and moss-covered rocks. However, the foliage surrounding her looked like something or someone had been occupying this space. It had a somewhat lived-in feel to it. The small area was rather occluded from view, surrounded by natural flora; ferns and a fallen tree marked the perimeter.

Her study of the area became distracted when lightning flashed across the sky, and the boom of thunder followed shortly after, sounding much closer than just a moment ago. So, Manten was close to finding her, probably incensed by her escape. It was time for her to make her exit now. She stood up, brushing her skirts absently, contemplating the best method to deal with the yokai pursuing her. Another bolt of lightning flashed, and at that moment, a man in red dropped from a tree and landed in front of her in a crouch. Kagome gasped and took a step back.

Rather than a man poised before her, though, was something else. It was the yokai from the Goshinboku tree with golden eyes and silver hair. The dog ears on top of his head stood alert, betraying his heritage. Kaede had told Kagome that the most powerful yokai could take human form, but those of lesser or mixed blood retained more obvious features that belied what they truly were. Kaede had also told her that this was a hanyo, a mixing of human and yokai. Hanyo were considered the lowest of the low, having no place with either Mononoke or humans.

The hanyo before Kagome eyed her curiously. If she'd had any sense, she would feel frightened, but he did not seem threatening, and while he hadn't uttered a word, his eyes exuded quiet intelligence. She, in turn, regarded him, bemused to see a nice little lump above his left eye.

She opened her mouth to speak, but the crack of thunder stole her words, causing the hanyo to jump into action. He jumped into a tree and perched on a branch surveying the area. The yokai Manten was close now, practically upon them. His thundercloud sped into view, its rider bellowing with fury as he spotted his elusive prey.

As Manten approached, Kagome's rescuer launched himself at the yokai, knocking him off his aerial perch. The pair thudded to the ground, where the hanyo punched Manten's massive head. Honestly, Kagome would have been concerned had he missed.

"Owie!" Manten squealed, gripping a large lump on his large head. "Who the hell are you?!" he demanded of the hanyo. When he did not receive an answer, he deduced, "This is your strong companion, eh? A half-blood? I will crush his bones and turn his flesh into jelly. Then I will take you and the Shikon Jewel. How fun this shall be!"

Kagome was sure she heard the Hanyo growl menacingly, just like a dog would when provoked. She'd be willing to bet if he'd had a hackle, it would have been raised as well. He glared wordlessly at Manten, standing his ground. "Heeheehee," Manten shrieked with glee. He took a deep breath and released his thunder-fire breath, demolishing all within its path. All but the hanyo, who deftly jumped out of the way, landing neatly behind Manten in a crouch.

"Dammit! Stay still, pest!" Manten demanded. He turned to face his adversary, "Rats are always scurrying when they know their end is near." A grin grotesquely split the yokai's face, "Die with honor, hanyo! It's the only honorable thing to happen in your miserable life. A shame your bitch of a mother did not have the mercy to strangle you straight from the womb."

Even Kagome winced at Manten's words. No one should speak about another's mother that way. It was clear the contempt that Yokai felt for Hanyos in his words. As much as Manten's words bothered Kagome, they incited a quiet rage within the hanyo. His golden eyes widened in fury as the insult hit home. His upper lip lifted in a snarl, and a roar erupted.

Manten only chuckled, amused he had said something to elicit such a reaction. Usually, he was not good with words, and his brother often told him what an idiot he was. Defeating this puny enemy was a demonstration of not only his power but his intelligence as well. With the smile still plastered to his face, jagged teeth exposed, he puffed up his chest for one final expulsion of his fire breath. This tactic seemed to work well enough, and he knew that his yokai speed was greater than a hanyo, so without a second thought, he expelled the thunderous fire toward where the hanyo crouched.

Kagome watched from a safe distance as the hanyo jumped over the assault just as easily as he had a moment ago. She wondered why Manten would attempt the same attack a second time when the result would be the same. 'He really is an idiot,' she thought. The Hanyo must have made the same observation. Rather than land behind Manten and await his next move, the Hanyo reacted quickly, coming directly behind the Yokai. He plunged his clawed hand into Manten's chest in one nimble motion.

Manten's bulbous eyes bulged from their sockets in shock and pain. He clutched at his chest in a feeble attempt to soothe the pain he must have felt from within and gasped while bloody spittle seeped from the corners of his mouth. Clawing with one hand, he made a desperate try with his other arm to grab his opponent. The hanyo stepped aside, removing his hold from Manten's chest cavity. He did not leave empty-handed. His taloned fingers clutched the still-beating heart of his foe. It was hideous to behold; purple, bloody, and grotesquely large.

Manten took one last ragged breath and turned his head to watch the hanyo squeeze his heart until it burst into fleshy pieces. Manten's eyes glazed over, and as he fell to his knees, the words, "Avenge me brother!" escaped his lips before he collapsed.

Kagome could not believe what she had just witnessed. She was trying to decide whether she should thank the hanyo or break into a sprint. As he battled Manten, his eyes could only be described as dead and unfeeling. Dead may not be the right word for it. Blank seemed to be a better description. There was no joy, sorrow, anger, or fear –just nothing. What creature kills so callously, she wondered. But she couldn't help but feel intrigued as she regarded him now. Once Manten collapsed, he seemed to also collapse into himself, becoming a muted version of what he was.

Tentatively, she walked towards him, carefully avoiding the bits and pieces of Manten that remained, and he watched her do so warily as if expecting some form of punishment. He was crouched down on all fours, and his ears were laid flat. "Um...thank you for saving me," she said. He did not respond but turned his gaze away as though he were ashamed or afraid to look at her.

"Okay," she said aloud, wondering why he was acting so apprehensive, which was a big turnaround from his behavior just moments ago. "My name is Kagome," she said, extending her hand down to him in a greeting, "Nice to meet you ."He shuffled backward at her gesture. "Wait! I won't hurt you!" she called. "In fact, I think I should be more afraid of you than you seem to be of me right now." Slowly she lowered herself into a crouch, mirroring him, and ambled towards him. This time he did not retreat but regarded her with intense curiosity as if he had never seen anyone come to his level before. Once she was close enough to reach out and touch him, she stopped. "I'm Kagome. What's your name?"

His brow knit together in confusion, and his golden eyes turned back to her. She smiled warmly, hoping he would see that she was genuine. Hesitating for a moment, he blinked and opened his mouth, searching for his name. "Inu…" he said finally.

"Inu?" Kagome repeated. She felt a pang of pity that someone would be cruel enough to name him for a dog.

He shook his head, "Inu...Yasha."

She felt her smile deepen, "Inuyasha," she repeated, trying it out. "That's a lovely name."

In an attempt not to startle him again, she reached her hand out to him but did not break his gaze. He quickly looked down at the gesture and then back up at her. He didn't seem to understand what she was doing but grabbed her extended palm with his own. Just as slowly as she had come near him, she rose up, bringing him with her until they were both standing, though he was a head taller than her. He was just as mysterious, if not more, from the first time she met him. His golden eyes were entrancing as she stared into them, and she mused over how nice his face looked, coupled with the silver hair and those eyes. Even his unusual ears did nothing to offset his distinguishing features.

Suddenly she felt her face grow hot once she realized she was still holding Inuyasha's hand and mulling over how attractive she thought he was. Kagome immediately snatched her hand away and rubbed it nervously. "We should be getting back," she told him. Turning on her heel, she took a few steps forward and looked to see if he followed. "Come on," she said when she realized he had not. This time, she simply continued, not waiting again but listening for the sound of footsteps. She was satisfied to hear them come up behind her and maintain a steady pace as she led the way back to the village.

They arrived back to the village in short order. Kagome figured she had been gone only a few hours and was quietly surprised to see Miroku had begun to put together a rescue detail.

"I like to think I can take care of myself!" she teased.

Miroku spun around to see her safe and sound but gaped once he saw Inuyasha behind her. Before he could react, Kagome put up a cautioning hand, "It's okay. This is Inuyasha. He's the reason I took so long."

The monk seemed to bite back a desire to exorcize the demon who was escorted into the village. "Lady Kagome, I thought it was your prerogative to keep demons out of the village, not bring them in?" The few villagers he had assembled shuffled nervously, feeling well-deserved anxiety at seeing yet another yokai broach their village border.

Kagome rolled her eyes, "He saved me from a yokai who was searching for the Shikon Jewel. I was fortunate that he was around."

"And you said you could take care of yourself," Miroku grumbled.

"I said I like to think I can," she retorted with a sniff. Changing the subject, she continued, "I imagine Inuyasha, here, is the one these fellows saw on their way back."

Miroku crossed his arms and eyed Inuyasha skeptically. He seemed skeptical that bringing Inuyasha to the village was the best idea. "Hmmpfh," he grunted with disdain.

Shippo picked this moment to bound over and leap onto Miroku's shoulder. "Who's this weirdo, Kagome?" Shippo asked.

Kagome glanced back at Inuyasha, but his expression remained blank, taking no heed of the child's words. "His name is Inuyasha, Shippo." She paused a moment before adding, "Be nice." Shippo eyed him dubiously, not sure what to make of the newcomer.

If Kagome were honest with herself, she was a bit apprehensive about Kaede's learning of Inuyasha's arrival.

Kagome had been correct to feel apprehension. Kaede had yet to take Inuyasha's arrival well at all. Kagome hadn't expected her to give Inuyasha a warm welcome. Still, Kaede had been unusually cold to the point where she extended her icy behavior toward Kagome, at least at first. Eventually, Kaede lowered her wall and tolerated Inuyasha's presence. This may have been attributed to Inuyasha's quiet subservient disposition. Once Kaede deemed him not to be a threat, she opened up again, and Kagome's training resumed with increased intensity.

o - o - o - o - o

Another month passed, and Kagome felt her homesickness with overwhelming intensity. Her family must have thought her dead, and she felt crushed. She was putting them through agony while she was indeed alive and well. She knew the time had come for her to make a trip back...if she could. Kagome was still determining if a trip back through the well was possible, but she had to try. The thought of returning home and bringing trouble back with her was frightening. She had decided the village would have plenty of protection while she was away, especially with Kaede, Miroku, Shippo, and even Inuyasha to watch over things. She had promised to protect those around her from the power she had released into the world, which extended to whatever period she was in; the past or her future. Ultimately, she felt confident enough in her new abilities to return home for a short time and not bring any harm to her family.

Miroku had decided to stay a little longer once Inuyasha had arrived. Like Kaede, Miroku was slow to trust the hanyo's presence and postponed his trip until he was confident there would be no murdering spree. He seemed to distrust Mononoke, much like everyone else in this time, but Miroku warmed to Inuyasha much quicker than Kaede had. He felt compelled to take Inuyasha under his wing and bring him out of his shell. Shippo demonstrated to the monk that not all Mononoke were bad.

Kagome approached Miroku on the morning she planned to return home. She hoped he would be receptive to her request today and ran her fingers through her hair with apprehension. Miroku did not know where she came from, not really.

"Miroku, I have a favor to ask of you," she began.

"Anything for you Lady Kagome," he replied, leaning close in his flirtatious manner.

She laughed inwardly at his antics but rolled her eyes and sighed, "I'm being serious, Miroku."

Still smiling, he awaited her request, "Okay then, Lady, what's this request?"

"I...I want to return home," she began and then hurried to add, "just for a bit."

Miroku considered her request, "I suppose I was incorrect in my assumption that this was your village of birth."

Kagome watched as Inuyasha approached with Shippo bounding alongside. Those two had formed somewhat of a brotherly bond, albeit the sibling relationship mirrored more of a love-hate relationship that bordered closer to tolerance and disdain than anything. Still, the young kitsune found someone he could relate to and look up to, while Inuyasha could get a better sense of his yokai side through Shippo.

Looking back to Miroku, Kagome breathed, "Well, it is true I have lived in this area my whole life, but I haven't been born yet. My home is in a different time...in the future."

Miroku laughed, "You jest, miko."

She stared at him stoically. "I'd like you all to accompany me to the Bone Eater's Well, just in case."

"What's at the well Kagome?" Shippo asked after he launched onto Miroku's shoulder.

"Apparently Kagome is returning to her home, young Shippo," Miroku answered. Shippo wilted visibly, "Wait... you're leaving?!" he pouted with tears welling in his eyes.

Kagome narrowed her eyes at Miroku and turned her attention to Shippo, who began to sniffle convincingly, "It's not like that. I'm coming back. It'll only be for a little while."

"Y-y-you promise?" he blubbered.

"I promise," she assured him, smiling once the child shed his sad facade for a grin. There is no better time than now. She motioned with her hand, "Shall we?"

Shippo jumped from his perch and dashed down the path toward the well. "Last one is a rotten egg!" he called. Kagome's reassurance must have satiated the child.

Miroku nodded at Kagome and followed after Shippo, leaving her and Inuyasha to bring up the rear. She fell into step beside Inuyasha, who remained quiet, his hands tucked inside his sleeves. Kagome glanced at him quickly, noting how his silver hair had grown from the shaggy mop she had first encountered him with. Now it fell past his chin, and she couldn't help but think the new length added something she couldn't put her finger on. "So, will you be alright here with Miroku and Shippo while I'm gone?" she asked, hoping to break the silence.

He turned his head to reply, "Yes."

Kagome pressed her lips together. Inuyasha was still markedly reticent even after his time spent at the village. Initially, she thought that his vocabulary rivaled a parrot, with him only able to repeat words without understanding what they meant. That first impression couldn't have been further from the truth. While he did not speak unless spoken to, he was observant and thoughtful. Uncharacteristic for someone she incorrectly perceived as the intellect of a house pet.

"I don't plan on being gone long. I...um...hope it's not too much to ask you help keep an eye on things?" Kagome started. Inuyasha eyed her questioningly. "What I mean to say is, you handled the thunder demon and I thought that maybe if anything were to happen while I was gone you could handle that as well."

Inuyasha did not respond straight away as though he were considering his words. "What about you, Kagome?" he asked, finally.

"Me?" she countered. "I'll be fine. There's nothing like you or Shippo or even that thunder yokai where I am from." At least, she hoped there wasn't, but she did not want to worry him by putting her fears to words. When she glanced back over at him, she could have sworn he was eying her doubtfully before he turned to look ahead.

They came upon the well that sat in the open, looking unremarkable in its simplicity. Shippo and Miroku waited by its side as she and Inuyasha approached. Kagome's theory was that the well was a time portal, but she needed to find out if it was a one or two-way portal. Now was her opportunity to test the theory out. She had brought nothing with her beside her bow, arrows, and, of course, the Shikon Jewel. Whether she would pass through or not, she did not need anything more.

"If this works, I will see you guys soon. If not, I will only have a sore rear to show for it."

"I'm still not certain I follow Lady Kagome," Miroku said. "This seems like folly."

Kagome laughed out loud. Miroku looked at her inquisitively, "What's so amusing?"

She chuckled, "It's just funny to me that you have no problem with the existence of magic, spiritual power, demons, and the like but you have a hard time with time travel." She swung her legs over the side of the well, not wanting to wait much longer.

Miroku was puzzled, "Those are the reality. What you propose is improbable."

"But not impossible," she added.

"What's to get Miroku?" Shippo challenged, confident in Kagome's words. "You're holding her up!"

The kitsune's outburst allowed for a moment of levity in the situation. Smiling, Kagome waved, "I'll be back as soon as I can. Take care of the village and Kaede while I'm gone."

"You can count on us!" Shippo hollered enthusiastically.

"Bye, Shippo." She nodded in their direction, "Miroku….Inuyasha," she said before pushing off and down into the well. As she fell, she prayed she passed through to prevent herself from looking a fool. Her wish granted, she felt herself passing through time. At least, she assumed that's what the feeling meant. Gravity reversed once she neared the bottom, and she had an odd squeezing sensation for an instant. Above her was darkness, and the air smelled like damp, old wood. Kagome smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. She was home, and her family was near. Climbing out of the well, she lifted herself over the side and did all but sprint to her family's house. She could almost hear their voices from the kitchen and threw open the door to gasps of astonishment, "Kagome!"