The characters and universe of Inuyasha are Rumiko Takahashi's, therefore, they do not belong to me—only the plot of this story is mine.
The soft murmur of the river was the first sound she heard as she slowly regained consciousness.
She stirred, feeling the cool earth beneath her and the soft rustle of leaves above.
Slowly, she opened her eyes, her vision adjusting to the unfamiliar surroundings.
The scent of pine and fresh morning dew filled her senses, a stark contrast to the urban smells she was used to. She sat up, her body feeling strangely different, yet familiar.
As she stared at her reflection in the water, a face she recognized from countless hours of watching anime stared back at her.
It was Kikyo, the legendary priestess from Inuyasha.
Panic surged within her as memories of her past life flooded back. She was no longer the modern-day teenager who died in a tragic accident on her way home from a school play rehearsal.
Now, she was Kikyo, a powerful miko from the anime she had watched so many times before with her best friend. The realization was overwhelming, but she knew she had to adapt quickly if she wanted to survive.
She stood up, the miko's robes swaying gently in the morning breeze. The bow and quiver beside her were a stark reminder of her new reality; she picked them up, feeling the weight and balance of the bow in her hands; it felt natural, as if her body remembered how to use it, even if her mind was still catching up.
"I hope I don't run into Inuyasha or his gang," she muttered to herself, her voice sounding strange to her own ears.
She needed to figure out what the current timeline was, though it didn't seem like the time when Kikyo was resurrected by the witch Urasue, and there was no sign of the Shikon Jewel either, which was both a relief and a concern.
However, a wry smile tugged at her lips as she thought of her best friend from her past life, who had always hated Kikyo for coming between Inuyasha and Kagome.
But the smile quickly disappeared as she sensed an evil aura approaching.
Her heart pounded in her chest as she turned to face the threat. A youkai emerged from the trees, its eyes gleaming with malevolence.
She drew her bow, her hands steady despite the fear that coursed through her. She silently prayed that she would not miss her target, knowing that failure would mean a second death, and she had only just awakened in this world.
"Please don't miss," she whispered to herself, releasing the arrow.
The muscle memory in Kikyo's body kicked in, and the arrow flew true, striking the youkai and purifying him in a burst of light.
She let out a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding.
The danger had passed, but the reality of her situation was only just beginning to sink in.
She was Kikyo now, and she had a new life to live in this old, dangerous world.
She moved cautiously, her senses heightened.
The bow in her hand felt like an extension of herself, a tool she knew she could rely on.
She had to find a village or some sign of civilization to learn more about this timeline.
The absence of the Shikon Jewel and the lack of immediate threats from Naraku or Inuyasha's group suggested she was in a relatively peaceful time, but she couldn't be certain.
As she ventured deeper into the forest, a sudden chill ran down her spine.
The air grew heavy, and an oppressive aura settled around her.
Kikyo stopped, her heart pounding.
Again?
She knew this feeling from their previous encounter—it was the presence of a youkai.
Emerging from the shadows of the trees, a grotesque creature with glowing red eyes and sharp claws appeared.
Its malevolent gaze fixed on her, and it let out a low growl.
She could feel the dark energy radiating from it, a clear sign of its intent to harm. Without hesitation, she nocked an arrow and drew her bow.
The tension in the string mirrored the tension in her body. She took aim, her breathing stabilizing as she focused on her target.
The youkai charged toward her, and she released the arrow.
The arrow flew straight and true, striking the youkai in the chest.
A burst of purifying light erupted from the point of impact, and the creature disintegrated into nothingness.
She lowered her bow, her heart still racing from the encounter. The victory was small, but it filled her with a sense of accomplishment.
She had trusted in Kikyo's skills and instincts, and they had not failed her. But she knew that this was only the beginning.
The Feudal Era was full of dangers, and she would need to be vigilant.
As she continued her walk, she couldn't help but wonder about the other characters in the anime.
Where were Inuyasha and Kagome?
And Sango, Miroku, and Shippo?
She hoped she wouldn't have to face them any time soon.
Her presence as Kikyo could complicate matters, especially given the history between Kikyo and Inuyasha.
But first, she needed to get her bearings on where in the canon she was.
Lost in her thoughts, she barely noticed the faint sound of a nearby stream.
She followed the sound and soon found herself on the edge of a small village.
The village was a bustling hub of activity as she walked along the narrow, dirt paths.
Children played near the well, their laughter a stark contrast to the weight of her thoughts.
The villagers greeted her with a mix of reverence and curiosity, their eyes lingering on her miko robes and the bow slung across her back.
She nodded politely, trying to mask her discomfort.
As she walked, she took in the sights and sounds of this new world.
The thatched-roof houses, the smell of campfires, and the distant hum of conversation felt foreign, yet strangely comforting.
She had watched countless episodes of Inuyasha, but living in this era was an entirely different experience.
A boy's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Are you a priestess?"
A warm smile graced the miko's beautiful features, as her mahogany eyes turned to the boy who looked no older than seven. "I am. My name is Kikyo. And what is your name?"
She knew that Kikyo was quite receptive to children and was upset when her feelings were hurt, as she remembered from the anime—however, Aiko seemed to have found another excuse to hate her, her friend was so childish sometimes, thinking about her made her heart clench, but she decided to focus her attention on the little boy.
"My name is Shiro."
Kikyo's smile widened. "That's a nice name, Shiro-kun."
She looked around for a moment, very aware of the looks from the villagers she was receiving—she didn't know if these people knew Kikyo, since she didn't know what timeline she had woken up in Kikyo's body.
"Can you take me to the village elder?" she asked, as she extended her hand to the little boy, who nodded happily.