Year 1990

July 10th

It was like a dream to her, one which she thought she wouldn't awaken from. No, it was more like a nightmare. The people, well some had treated her kindly, but the majority over all, left Kagome feeling rather unpleasant. Yet after everything that had transpired over her long week's stay in the Feudal Era, Kagome was back home, back where she belonged.

Since her return, she learned her family had tried all they could to bring her back. Grandpa had gone completely into his priest ritual mode to purify the Goshinboku of its wickedness, praying for her safe return, and Kagome wondered if it was indeed his powers which transcended hundreds of years through the Higurashi Family.

Then again, Kagome couldn't help but wonder why it happened and how it was even possible. How had the Goshinboku opened up a portal to a world several hundred years into the past? Was it the work of Kami? Was it something supernatural? If she could, she would believe it was nothing but a dream, something she thought up in her imagination, but Kagome knew better. Of all things, it had to be her tree on her family's property, especially happening on the day of her graduation.

It didn't make sense. None of it.

It's been a month now since her return. She'd spent ten days within the Sengoku Era, ten painful and tiring days scorned and berated by the people. The bruises she had accumulated in the past had already healed, yet she still had the small scars on her feet during the many hours of farming in those endless fields, not to mention she lost her straw sandals somewhere in the woods after escaping that Youkai.

But despite that, Kagome felt weird ever since returning. All that she had suffered within the past, especially the things that might have happened to her, changed her way of thinking. She felt strange, and she felt a lot more cautious than ever before. Not once had she stepped near the Goshinboku tree in her yard; she feared it might send her back in time once again.

Ever so comforting, her mother had done her best to ease Kagome's distress, and as the days passed, she felt the past become slightly more distant from her memory. If anything, she wished she didn't remember any of it.

Yet, an interesting turn of events happened after her return; her brother Souta, had rigorously become interested in reading more into the history of the Higurashi family. Books upon books, grandpa laid out for him, pulling them out from the confines of the deepest part of the shed, the old scrolls yellowed with age, but still legible even many centuries.

Kagome wasn't sure why her younger brother became so interested, even after the terrifying ordeal she went through, but she only hoped it wouldn't distract him from his friends or his classes. Kagome on the other hand focused her time spent with her mother, helping out around the shrine as well as searching for a job to ease her distractions and help her family.

A sigh escaped Kagome, her thoughts returning back to her tiring days in the Warring States Era. Even after one month back home, she still couldn't rid her thoughts of it and all that happened. The Youkai … Kosuke, High Priestess Kaede, Aiko and even the little girl Ume; they were constantly in her thoughts, and one person in particular she placed to the back of her memory; the mere mentioning of his name made her shiver with repulse.

"Kagome? Earth to Kagome? Are you still with us?"

Yuka's hand waved in front of the ebony haired girl's face, and returning back to reality, Kagome blinked at her three friends sitting with her at the restaurant. What? They were all looking at her, confusion etched upon their faces.

"Whoa, where were you at just now?" Eri asked, smiling at Kagome as she sipped her glass of tea.

She flushed, embarrassed she hadn't been listening, and quickly apologized. "Sorry. I've had a lot on my mind recently."

While Ayame was obviously confused by this, Yuka and Eri on the other hand couldn't help but slyly smirk at her, their thoughts entirely focused on one question, one which left Kagome sweat dropping.

"Oh really?" Yuka inquired, her hands pausing before her salad. She leaned forward on her elbows, looking at Kagome closely. "Kagome, have you been seeing a guy these days?"

"Huh?" Where did that question come from? Well it wasn't really a guy so to say, but Kagome couldn't exactly tell them she somehow managed to time travel through her tree in her yard; they'd think she was nuts and possibly urge her family to seek professional help. "N-no, it's not like that…"

Eri didn't believe her. "Then why is your face so red? Huh?"

Her face was red? Was she blushing? Kagome almost had a notion to reach for her pocket mirror in her skinny jeans to take a look, but noticing her three friends suddenly smiling at her from the table, she realized her face did feel a bit warm.

Upon seeing this, Yuka smirked. "You are definitely hiding something from us. Spill it, Kagome."

"Yeah. Who's this guy you've been seeing?" Eri also questioned.

"W-What makes you think there's a guy involved? Besides, I haven't had time to date since graduation ended and besi—" Kagome was cut off.

"Excuses. Don't try to talk your way out of this one, Kagome," Eri interjected. "A lot of things can happen after graduation, and we haven't seen each other in a month, but there is definitely something going on. We know you too well, Kagome."

"So, fess up, or we'll get it out of you one way or another," Yuka replied back.

Well this certainly took a turning point. What would she say to them? Of course, she couldn't tell them about the Feudal Era, but, Kagome supposed there was someone that definitely warmed her thoughts.

Somewhat timidly, Kagome took a sip of her drink through her straw, her eyes doing their best to avoid the stares of her three friends. The more she thought about it, the more embarrassed she felt, and yet, she couldn't help but smile. "Well … there is someone…"

"I knew it!" Yuka and Eri exclaimed loudly from their seats across from her. When they noticed the curious stares from the others in the restaurant, turning their heads in their direction, their faces reddened slightly, but their attention remained focused on their best friend.

"So … when did you two meet?" Yuka inquired, her hand now positioned under her chin, her salad completely forgotten in front of her.

"What's he like?" Eri asked, talking in between mouthfuls of her food steaming before her.

Ayame, who was seated beside Kagome this entire time, looked at her almost endearingly, her eyes alit with wonder. "You have to tell us all about him, Kagome."

Kagome couldn't help but sweat drop at their enthusiasm and awaiting response from her. "Uh … well … I haven't known him for very long. It was … kind of by coincidence that I met him…" Was coincidence the right term for how they met?

"What's his name?" Yuka asked.

"Where did you meet him?" Eri inquired.

"What's he like?" Ayame asked.

Well, his name was Kosuke, a very sweet young man, slightly older than herself. All Kagome knew was that he lived in the village with everyone else, but he mainly traveled around the lands. Oh, did she mention he lived in the Sengoku Jidai Era?

"Well? Don't leave us in suspense!" Yuka cried. "Tell us about him!"

Kagome fiddled with her half empty glass, swishing its contents and ice cubes around awkwardly. "Um … he … his car lost a tire on the road. I happened to be nearby when it happened when my mother and I were out shopping." Lies. Lies. Lies. It was all she could really manage to say without bringing confusion to her three friends. "I helped him out as best as I could."

"But lifting a tire would be too heavy for you, Kagome," Ayame replied, trying to imagine the scenario.

"How did you help him, if you don't mind me asking?" Eri asked.

The truth was, his cart lost a wheel in the forest, and Lady Kaede somewhat ordered her to help him, allowing Kagome her first reprieve from the village. That's how she first met Kosuke. Technically, since the cart wasn't as heavy as an actual vehicle from the modern era, Kagome was capable of holding it up while he placed the wooden wheel back on.

"Oh, well … it was raining," Kagome replied, a little more confident with this reply. "I had an umbrella on me, and I didn't want him to catch a cold. I mean, no one was helping the guy at all, so…"

Eri pondered this, both she and the other girls accepting the idea quite easily now that they thought about it. In their minds, it was actually a very sweet thing Kagome did, and it wasn't completely out of the norm for her character either.

"I see. So, from there, you two have been talking nonstop, I take it?" Yuka asked.

"Well … not exactly. I've only talked with him a couple times after that…" Kagome replied, taking another drink. The second time she saw him, he had invited her to a picnic, which had been so sweet, but Kagome thought better than to bring that up; if her friends knew about that, they would try to pry more.

"So, tell us his name. We're dying to know!" Eri replied.

Telling them his name wouldn't be a problem. "Oh, it's Kosuke. I don't know his last name though."

"It's a traditional name. What does he do for a living?" Yuka wondered.

At this, Kagome paused in her musings. What did he do again? From her understanding, he mainly ran errands for High Priestess Kaede and a little bit of carpentry work and farming; then again, everyone was practically a farmer back in those times. "He enjoys traveling around and seeing new places. As for work, he fixes houses. I'm not sure what else though."

"He sounds like a decent guy. So, I take it you have exchanged numbers?" Ayami asked, but Kagome only responded with a shake of her head. "What? How come?"

"Oh … well … he doesn't have a cellphone…" Lies again. Well, it was sort of a lie, but explaining it would prove a little difficult. "He doesn't stay in one place for too long, and he isn't really into technology like the rest of us."

Yuka nodded in understanding. "He seems like a down to earth kind of guy that enjoys the simple things in life."

"If you ask me, he kind of sounds a bit boring…" Eri replied back, shrugging as Yuka and Ayame sent her a disappointed look. "I mean, if I had a boyfriend, he has to at least have a cellphone, otherwise, how would we communicate and know to hang out or go on dates?"

"What about sending letters? That's always a romantic thought," Ayame beamed, but her friends only sweat dropped at her old-fashioned ideas.

"Who sends letters anymore?" Yuka laughed.

Fortunately for Kagome, her friends didn't press her any further about Kosuke or her love life. After eating, the four spent the rest of the day shopping at the mall, most of their purchases spent on clothes and makeup.

When evening came, Kagome said her goodbyes to her friends before walking up the steps towards her family shrine with a pleasant smile etched upon her face. It was good to see her friends again after their short time apart, and already, she felt her tension slipping away from her. It felt good to get away and enjoy herself and talk with her friends like nothing had happened, and she had a feeling it would only get better.

During her climb up the long stone steps, she paused suddenly, her expression suddenly shocked and displeased. Her blue eyes looked at her three shopping bags in her hands and she frowned. She was supposed to go out and get some applications today, but she completely forgot.

"I think I spent too much money in one day…"

However, she knew her mother wasn't one to pressure her into doing anything, especially getting a job. They made enough money to get by, and Kagome did her part around the house to help out, but it still upset her. Her mother was the only provider in the family who held a good job working as a nurse. Grandpa was already retired long ago, and Souta was still too young to be out working. Now that she graduated from high school, she felt she needed to do something to help out. First thing in the morning, she would start looking for a job.

Motivated by this thought, Kagome made her way up the rest of the incline before reaching her house and stepping inside. Once within the warm house, she was greeted by her brother sitting on the couch watching television with grandpa who was quietly reading the newspaper, with Buyou lying at his feet asleep.

Noticing his sister was finally back, Souta turned towards her. "Hey sis. Welcome back!"

"Oh, Kagome. Welcome back," Grandpa Higurashi replied. "Hey Souta. Hi grandpa. Where's mom?"

The familiar sound of her mother humming in the kitchen filled her ears, and as Kagome shared a smile with her brother, she couldn't help but ruffle his hair, something she knew he hated but did it anyway to tease him.

He made a face at her as she passed but otherwise continued watching television. As Kagome made her way into the kitchen, the wonderful aroma of a baked pot roast filled her senses.

Her mother was unware of her return home, standing before the oven as she pulled out the large pot roast, sitting it on the stove top before turning off the oven. Without a single thought, Kagome wrapped her arms around her mother's shoulders, startling Mrs. Higurashi, though when she noticed her daughter was behind her, she relaxed.

"Oh, you're home. Did you have a fun time with your friends?" She asked.

Kagome nodded before pulling away. "I didn't mean to stay out too long. We ended up going shopping after, and I think I bought too much," She replied, referring to the bags near the couch in the living room.

Her mother turned at this, noticing the three shopping bags in the other room, and she smiled at her daughter. "There's nothing wrong with that. It's been a while since you and your friends have seen each other. By the looks of it, you seemed to have enjoyed yourself."

"I did. It feels like it's been so long since I had time for myself," she replied, however when she said this, she couldn't help but bite her lip. Not again. She was bringing up that situation again, and she knew her mother was still troubled by the incident.

Although she sensed her daughter's troubled thoughts, Mrs. Higurashi did not say anything, her smile remaining intact. "Well supper is ready. We haven't had pot roast in a while."

Musashi Province (Feudal Japan)

A month had passed since the incident regarding the girl Kagome, a girl whom High Priestess Kaede could not push from the forefront of her thoughts. Ever since the day she was brought to her humble village, the old woman knew there was something different about her, and it wasn't just her style of clothing; there was something emanating from deep within the girl, something lying dormant.

As the old priestess sat within her hut before the burnt-out fire, her thoughts traveled back a month ago, when Daisuke had injured his leg. The girl, Kagome, had treated his wound with the practice of Western Healing, something which was prohibited within Japan and only seen primarily overseas, and yet, Kaede allowed her to treat him.

It was at that moment, Kaede knew something was different about the girl, and she recalled her conversation with Daisuke then.

Flashback

"I have had my suspicions about the child since she first arrived upon our village, Daisuke. There is something within her, something I cannot ascertain at this moment."

"What do you mean?" Daisuke inquired curiously.

"I sensed a power within the child, but I cannot gather whether or not it is good or bad," Lady Kaede replied, pondering as she revisited the days before. Was it possible she possessed powers similar to Kikyou? Although Lady Kaede failed to master her spiritual abilities years ago, she wondered if it was possible this child held the same potential as her deceased sister. Then again, was it possible the child possessed other worldly powers, powers of sinister origins?

"Could it be possible she is a woman born with the power?" He asked, but Kaede wasn't certain.

"If so, then her knowledge would make better sense, but I believe there is more to this child than we know," She replied. "Although she claims her mother taught her these foreign practices, I'm sure there is a blood line within her family that parallels that of priestesses and women of spiritual healing."

Hearing this, Daisuke's mouth opened in surprise. If that was the case, then it made better sense. If Lady Kaede sensed something within the girl, then it had to be true. "It leaves a bitter taste in my mouth to hide this wound from my wife…"

"As it should. Ye must not remove the bandages in front of anyone but myself, Daisuke. For now, we must watch the child."

He nodded. "I understand," Yet as he watched the elderly woman, he noticed how her expression had become more serious as of late. "I take it this is why you haven't allowed her to leave the village, am I correct? You are curious of her powers."

The old woman softly smiled at his reply. "It would seem she is not aware of it yet. Sending her out into the world to return to her family, wherever they are now, would put her life at risk," She replied, and Daisuke finally understood the old priestess's intentions. "As of late, the air has been strange. I have a feeling something is about to happen, something that may pose a threat to our humble village…"

His frowned deepened. "Do you suppose it could be a demon?" He asked, but the old woman simply shook her head. Another thought came to mind, and it left Daisuke somewhat uneasy as he sat there. "If it's possible this child is indeed a priestess, do you think it might be possible we may have angered the gods for mistreating her?"

Kaede shook her head. "I am not sure. Whatever the case, we will know very soon."

End Flashback

The girl disappeared from the village that very night, and with news carried from a witness patrolling the village, Kaede learned it was Satouru who had dragged her into the Forest of Inuyasha. Knowing Satouru's personality well and having seen his otherwise barbaric and mistreatment towards other women, Kaede urged the men of the village to find Kagome. It wasn't simply a manner of rescuing her from Satouru's malicious intentions, but simply that of the dangers which lurked outside the barrier.

Since it seemed the girl held some sort of dormant powers within, Kaede worried for her safety. If she could sense the power so easily from Kagome, Kaede knew the Youkais of the forest would seek her out, and that was something Kaede could not allow. In the wrong hands, the powers of a priestess would bring about disorder and chaos to the world, and as of right now, there were very few priestesses around who could stop it. If she truly was a priestess, one who possessed powers like her deceased sister, then it would prove a blessing to their village; Kaede wanted to believe that.

It wasn't long after when Kaede sensed a demonic aura within the woods. In an instant, she knew it was Mistress Centipede, a Youkai which once terrorized the people fifty years ago, but was slain by a group of Demon Slayers. Kaede's sister, Kikyou, had purified the bones and tossed its remains into the Bone Eater's Well which lied deep within the Forest of Inuyasha. Somehow, that Youkai had revived, and just as she feared, it targeted Kagome.

How it revived, she was uncertain, but as she took control of the horse and galloped further into the forest, it was then she witnessed an extraordinary scene. The girl, Kagome, was standing before the Great Tree of the Forest, a radiant blue glow emanating from the tree as she touched it. As Kaede remained hidden, watching as Kagome spoke to the mysterious voices resonating from the tree, it was then that Mistress Centipede appeared.

Kaede remembered drawing back on her bow, her aim pointed towards the Youkai as it's true form emerged more terrifying than before. A hand extended out of the bark, holding in its possession a decorative golden staff, and Kagome took it, hoping to fight the Youkai, much to Kaede's surprise and disbelief. Within moments after, Kagome was caught within its vice like grip, but before Kaede let loose her arrow, something happened. A sudden burst of blue energy radiated off the girl, and the light was so bright, it blinded the Youkai.

Although it was merely a morsel of her powers, it was to Kaede's understanding that her powers were beginning to manifest from its dormant slumber. While Kaede stood transfixed by the sudden revelation that Kagome was indeed born with spiritual powers, she suddenly noticed Kagome's powers had scorched the flesh of Mistress Centipede. The Youkai dropped her immediately after, and Kaede watched in surprise as the girl ran towards the tree. It was then the High Priestess saw a hand extended from the bark once more reaching for the girl, and within seconds, Kagome had disappeared.

Mistress centipede recovered from the attack after that and unexpectedly threw its body towards the tree, but aiming her arrow, Kaede hit the Youkai, her arrow piercing its neck, easily decapitating it, though it's head disappeared after that.

After Kagome's unexpected disappearance, Kaede took the remains of the Youkai and just like fifty years ago, threw its bones into the Bone Eater's Well before casting a chant to purify it of its wickedness. Shortly after that, they returned to the village, and when Satouru finally awakened from unconsciousness, High Priestess Kaede confronted him about his actions. Kosuke, who was slightly injured but otherwise fine, explained it was Satouru who dragged her into the woods and had attempted to rape the girl, but Satouru denied such accusations. Since Kagome was no longer with them, wherever she disappeared to beyond the Great Tree, Kaede kept Satouru under close watch and restricted his movements from his hut.

As Kaede sat there in her hut that late night reminiscing the events which took place a month ago, she looked out the open window. It was well past midnight, and with a crack of her shoulders, she retired to her futon. Yet, she couldn't help but look across the room, her eyes landing on the decorative staff lying against the wall. Several questions weighed heavily on her mind.

Where had she disappeared to?

Would Kagome return again?

Year 1990

Fire.

Scorching hot fire burned the small village before her, and as Kagome stood there, watching helplessly as the people fled from their blazing huts, the embers spreading over the straw roofs, Kagome fell onto the ground, her blue eyes widened fearfully.

Horses with faceless riders galloped through the throng of people, and as she sat there, taking the scene in, she watched fearfully as many were cut down in front of her.

From a distance, she saw a familiar face within the chaos. Her aged face and long grayish hair pulled back in a low ponytail down he back, an eye patch covering one eye and a bow held tightly in her grasp, Kagome knew it was High Priestess Kaede. The old woman was trying to stop the men on horseback, but they were merciless, their swords brandished in the moonlight.

A child ran past her, falling onto her knees suddenly a short distance away. Kagome recognized the little girl as the one she befriended in the Feudal Era; it was Ume. Dirt covered her reddened cheeks, and fear clouded her expression.

Kagome called out to the child to run when she saw a rider approach her, the horse's large feet stopping just beside the child and his sword raised. Immediately, Kagome shot up to her feet, her legs carrying her slowly, but it all happened too quick, even as the tears fell from her eyes.

The rider leaned over on his stead, and with his sword raised, he swung at the child. Fear stilled Ume and in an instant, she fell onto the cold ground, her eyes unseeing as a pool of blood poured around her corpse.

"No!" Kagome cried out, the strength in her legs failing her as she fell to her knees.

A sick and twisted laugh resonated from the rider, and as if not seeing her, he urged his horse towards another victim, slashing them until they fell onto the ground just as the little girl. This wasn't happening.

"Stop! Please!"

As the embers closed in around her and she watched helplessly as the bodies piled up before her, Kagome felt a sudden wind sweep past her, and with it, a voice whispered to her.

"Return to us priestess … Save us …"

Kagome looked up, her head turning to look around her, but she saw nothing but sudden blackness. The village was gone, the riders and all the corpses. Nothing but an endless darkness encompassed her, and she felt an eerie chill sweep over her. "W-who are you?"

"Return to us … priestess … Help the people…"

Return? Priestess? Kagome wasn't a priestess; she was an ordinary girl who belonged in the present time, not the past. Help the people? How could she help them? Why was this voice still calling out to her? "Who are you? Please, leave me alone!"

The voice seemed to belong to a woman, and yet she couldn't identify who it was that was speaking to her; Kagome wasn't even sure if it was a voice or one she imagined.

"Thus … is your fate …"

Her eyes snapped open suddenly, and as she laid there within her room listening to the crickets just outside her open window, she turned on her side. Sweat coated her forehead and cheeks, and she lifted herself into a sitting position, pushing away the blankets.

Not again. This was the tenth time she had this dream, and it was always the same. Why was this happening to her? Had the events which took her to the past truly traumatized her to the point where it now affected her sleep? She wasn't sure, but Kagome sat there for a short time musing.

Her hand crept to her chest, feeling the fast beats of her heart drumming loudly. Ume's death, as well as others within the dream frightened her, and she was still feeling the effects of it. It felt so real and the fire, she was sure she felt those flames near her.

As she sat in the darkness of her bedroom, Kagome couldn't help but turn her attention towards her open window. There was a light shining outside her front yard, and curious, she lifted herself from the bed and made her way towards the window. Feeling the cool breeze from outside, she noticed something peculiar within her yard, and that something was the tree. There was a familiar blue glow surrounding its bark, and Kagome couldn't help but back away from her window cautiously.

"It's glowing…"

Was it possible the tree was responsible for those dreams each night? Was the tree calling out to her to return? Grandpa said the tree was an evil entity and he forbid her from ever going near it, and of course, Kagome wasn't bothered by that at all; she didn't want to go near it again.

However, she couldn't erase the image of Ume dead from her thoughts or that of others. It had felt so real, and for some reason, her heart was still pounding quickly as if something was about to happen. Nervousness settled itself into the pit of her stomach, and she paled at the thought of returning to that world.

There was a nagging thought that surfaced. "What if the village will be attacked just like in my dream…" Was it possible the voice or the tree sent her a vision of the future of that Era? "Save us … save the people?" That's what it said to her, but she was in no means a priestess.

What would she do? If returning meant she could possibly save the people, then it would only be right to do so. But, what if she went there and she couldn't return to her own time? The thought of being separated from her family worried her.

"I don't know what to do…"

A few minutes went by, and as she stood there contemplating the situation, Kagome finally made up her mind. If she did this, there was still the possibility she could return home, after all, her family pulled her back through the tree before. If this also meant she could save lives and put an end to her nightmares within the present, then she was all for it.

"I'm risking a lot by doing this … I must be crazy…" She whispered to herself as she flipped on her light switch.

Looking around the room, she began shifting through her closet for a set of clothing to wear. She was definitely not going to wear a skirt again, not after what happened last time. She paused for a moment realizing she had left her school uniform behind in the past, wherever it was, was of no consequence to her now. Grabbing a couple coat hangers which produced a navy-blue tank top and light blue Capri pants, Kagome quickly removed her pajamas and slipped her shirt and pants on.

The first order of business was to get a decent sized backpack to take her belongings with her. Unfortunately for her, she only had her small school backpack and that would in no way hold all her belongings she would take back with her. That wouldn't do at all.

A sudden thought came to her. Her brother Souta had a hiking backpack in his closet that would be perfect. The thought of taking it without his permission slightly troubled her, but it was for a good cause. Ever so quietly, she opened the door to her room and crept into the hallway, careful of making a sound which would awaken her family.

Stepping down the hall, she found her little brother's room which was directly across her mom's. Opening the door slightly, thankful it wasn't locked, Kagome snuck inside. The room was dark, but she was thankful for the moon peering in through his closed window. From the sounds of it, Souta was still asleep, softly snoring as she shuffled in his closet. After feeling around for the backpack, she found it easily enough and made her way out of the room silently apologizing to Souta.

After returning to her room, Kagome placed the backpack on her bed and quickly began sorting through her drawers. She made a mental note in her mind of all the things she would take back with her. Clothing wasn't much of an issue, but she certainly needed underwear and bras. As she pulled out ten pieces of underwear of various colors and patterns, and an assortment of different colored bras, some sports bras, she folded them neatly and put them inside the backpack.

Moving over to her shoe rack, she grabbed a pair of New Balance shoes and tossed them inside as well, along with a couple sticks of deodorant, hairspray, chapstick, Pepper Spray for self-protection, a small tube of lotion, a comb and hairbrush, hair ties, and a whole box of newly bought pads before moving towards the bathroom down the hall. Not sure how long she would be gone for, she decided personal hygiene was the most important out of anything else she would take with her.

Once more, Kagome silently apologized, this time to her mother as she grabbed a new package of ten bars of Dial White Soap, five large bottles of various shampoos, a few tubes of Crest Toothpaste and five toothbrushes. Kagome carried all of these back to her room, making two trips to her bedroom before stuffing them inside the backpack.

After this, she looked around her room one more time before flipping off the light switch and closing the door behind her. Walking silently down the hall, she made her way down the creaking steps before arriving in the living room where she sat her backpack down on the sofa. Moving towards the bookshelf, she grabbed a couple books belonging to her grandfather, one regarding the History of the Feudal Era and the other Youkai Myths.

After throwing those onto the couch, she made her way into the kitchen and as quietly as she could, she began rummaging through the cabinets before grabbing her mother's favorite cooking pot and a small frying pan.

"I'm sorry mom, but I'm going to borrow this…"

She couldn't take the pot and frying pan without taking a few utensils as well such as a few forks, spoons, knives and a ladle. Kagome also reached for a few packages of ramen noodles, a few cans of soup and a container of chicken and beef broth. As she ran back and forth to her backpack, realizing the contents inside was becoming rather heavy, she realized there was still enough room for a few more items.

"What else do I need…"

As she made her way around the front room, she moved over to the fireplace and noticed a small box of matches and a lighter sitting on the shelf above it. Smiling, she took those in hand and placed them into one of the pockets of the backpack.

Another item came to mind and she quickly ran up the steps back to her room before entering inside. As she moved around some of her belongings, she found a couple notebooks which had hardly been used and took those along with a few pencils and pens. While she was in the past, she could document everything into those notebooks just in case something happened.

Since it was rough living in those days, Kagome still remembered acquiring injuries while she was knelt in the fields, and she remembered the first aid kit in the bathroom. Once again, she left her room and sorted through the cabinet before pulling out a white box with a red cross in the middle of it. Inside were bandages, gauze, ointments, peroxide and alcohol. This was a definite must have item if she was going to be staying in the past for a time.

Was that everything on the list? Kagome mused for a moment. No, there were still a few more things she needed. The last items were a flashlight, some batteries, and she supposed she could take a water bottle with her as well. All those things she found downstairs.

As she stood before the couch, looking down at her backpack, she couldn't help but sigh. There was a lot of stuff inside it, and somehow, she managed to close it with the zipper without it breaking or getting caught. She could unload everything at Aiko's when she returned, if she was still welcome there.

"This is it…"

As she was about to lift the backpack onto her back, she paused. If for some reason she wasn't able to return home, she wanted something to remember her family and keep with her just in case. Looking around the living room, she saw various portraits of her family, two in particular caught her eye and she reached for them, putting them in the front pocket of the backpack.

With everything prepared, Kagome looked at the clock on the wall. It was 3:45 am in the morning. After looking around the room once more, she flipped off the light switch to the kitchen and living room before exiting out the front door, locking it behind her.

The tree was just ahead, glistening its radiant glow, and she approached it, looking back at her house one last time. This was it. There was no going back after this. Pausing before the tree, Kagome looked upon its bark, and as she did, the bark slowly began distorting before her. Eventually, she saw the forest on the other side, but to her worse fear, she saw flames in the distance.

"It can't be. It really is on fire!" She gasped. Her dream hadn't been a lie. There was still time, she was sure. She could jump in and make a run for the village before anyone got hurt and—

The door to the house opened suddenly and Kagome turned in surprised, noticing her little brother looking out towards her in confusion. "Kagome, what are you doing?"

Silent for a moment, Kagome only watched as he approached her, his eyes scanning her attire and the familiar backpack on her back before shifting his eyes towards the glowing tree behind her. His expression suddenly understood, and he fisted his hands. "Souta…"

"You're planning to go back!?"

She nodded. "I have to. They need me, Souta."

Having heard this, he wanted to scoff at the very idea. He remembered how she returned, bruised and bleeding from an apparently struggle a month ago. His sister hadn't said anything as to why she was bruised, but he knew his sister returned a different person since that day. "Those people were terrible to you and held you hostage. Why would you want to go back? Not to mention there's demons there!"

Her expression fell at this, but she nodded again. "Yes. I know, Souta."

"Then why?"

Kagome turned back to the tree and pointed, and as her brother moved to look by her side, he saw the flames through the bark of the tree. "I keep having dreams, and in those dreams, the people are attacked and the village I was kept in was in flames, everyone murdered," She explained. "I keep having these dreams, Souta, and a voice telling me it's my fate to return and to save the people." As crazy as that sounded, she wasn't sure how she could save them. Kagome didn't blame her brother if he didn't believe her, but to her surprise, Souta was silent, taking this all in.

After all the crazy things he saw as of late, he didn't think his sister was crazy all. Well, the idea of returning to that terrible place was crazy in itself, but still, he didn't feel comfortable with his sister making such a rash decision. "What if you can't return home…"

Dropping her backpack beside her, she turned and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. "Don't worry. I'll come back, I promise. If I was able to get through before, I can do it again, I think," She reassured him.

Souta hugged her back, his arms encircling her waist. He didn't like this. He didn't want his sister to leave him, his mom and grandfather. "Don't go…"

Pulling away from him, she kissed him on the forehead and smiled at him tenderly. "I don't like it either. Take care of mom and grandpa for me, okay?"

He nodded, resisting the urge to pull her away from the tree. "If you can't get back, I'll come through the tree and bring you back."

Hearing this, she wanted to laugh, but she only smiled back with a nod. "I'm leaving now. Take care of everyone. I love you Souta."

And just like that, Souta watched miserably as his sister stepped into the bark of the tree, her figure disappearing through the distortion. Seconds later, the tree closed behind her and the glow emanating from the tree vanished. Souta rushed forward, his hands falling onto the rough bark, and his vision blurred. "Kagome!"