Nice to Meet You Again by Sage McMae

Chapter 1

The staccato beep of her alarm clock rouses her. She is aware of the noise first, shortly followed by a familiar dampness on her cheeks. Kagome gingerly touches the skin under her eyes. A brief swipe is all it takes to confirm what she already suspected to be true.

Some mornings are like this. She wakes from dreaming with an ache in her heart and tears on her face. The details of her dream are blurry at best. If she does remember specific things, it’s usually how she felt. Even then, those rare moments tend to fade before breakfast. The only element that lingers is the pain in her chest.

On days like today, she double checks her homework, reviews her class schedule, and packs an extra set of clothes for the day. She constantly feels as though she’s forgetting something. Or someone.

It’s a strange sensation that has haunted her since birth. Each year, the yearning grows stronger. Kagome wonders if it will eventually consume her. Will she go mad from the longing? Or will she wake one day as if this life has been a dream?

Kagome tosses her legs over the side of the bed and stares at her reflection in the mirror. Her face is pale and her eyes are puffy. She flops back onto the mattress with a groan.

Why can’t I remember?

She knows there is something important that she’s meant to see or do or find. Kagome just wishes she knew what it was. Maybe then she could focus on living a normal life.

Pffft, as if that could ever happen…

Her friends’ main concerns revolve around the latest fashion trends and who the most popular boy in school is. Kagome doesn’t have time for those things. When she’s not studying, her time is dedicated to the family shrine. All she wants to be is a normal teenage girl— not a descendant of the Shikon Miko.

The legend of her ancestor is ancient. Gramps says it has been passed down from the founders of the shrine to all of their descendants. Midoriko was a priestess who lived during the Heian period when the shoguns ruled the country. She was blessed with the ability to purify dark energy, including yokai. Her power caused her to be sought-after by both humans and demons alike. The humans wanted her to keep them safe and the yokai wanted her dead.

Eventually, they got their wish.

During a battle against multiple yokai, Midoriko sustained a critical injury from a dragon demon. She realized that she was going to die. With her final breath, Midoriko tore out her heart. She imbued the organ with her spirit, creating a sacred artifact known as the Shikon Jewel.

The first time she heard the story, Kagome was five years old. She assumed Gramps was telling her a cautionary tale. It wasn’t until she turned fifteen that he explained the story was true.

“There have been several priestesses in our family, each born with the power of the jewel. Some chose to embrace their destiny and protect the world, while others tried to hide from it. You possess that same potential, Kagome. Treat it as a gift.”

When she asked Gramps what she was supposed to do with the ability, he patted her on the head. “Demons are gone but their evil remains. When the time comes, you’ll know what to do.”

That had been last spring and Gramps’ answer didn’t make any more sense now than it had back then.

Kagome opens her eyes. She holds her hands above her head, studying her fingers as she flexes them. Gramps believes she has powers but Kagome thinks that’s a load of nonsense. There isn’t anything special about her. She’s of average height and build. Her grades are decent but that’s mostly due to the long hours she spends studying. In terms of athletics, Kagome’s performance is mediocre at best. The only activity that she shows any talent for is kyudo.

A lot of good it will do me, she thinks, dropping her arms to her sides.

She can’t make a living off a bow and arrow. Even if she could compete at the international level, the prize money wouldn’t be enough to support her and her family. Kagome’s best bet is to secure an office job. That way, she can work during the week and be available to assist with the shrine on the weekends.

“Sis,” her brother calls as he knocks on her door. “Are you up yet? It’s time for breakfast.”

“I’ll be right down.” With a yawn, Kagome stretches her arms overhead. She sits at her desk to brush her hair. Before changing into her uniform, she gathers her school work and tucks it into her backpack.

The redness around her eyes has started to fade. By the time Kagome finishes washing her face, there is no evidence that she cried. She takes a deep breath and heads into the kitchen. 

Mama, Souta, and Gramps are seated around the table. Her younger brother slurps down his porridge with vigor. Ever since he started playing soccer, his appetite has increased.

“Good morning, Kagome,” Mama greets her.

“Morning,” she mumbles, sinking into her seat.

“Did you sleep alright?”

“I slept okay,” she answers, reaching over to spoon out a helping of porridge.

“I should hope so,” Gramps grumbles.

Kagome glances over at her grandfather. He regards her warily as if she’s a dog about to snap. She shakes her head, ignoring him. Her grandfather has always been superstitious. He avoids crows, will kill a spider at night but not in the morning, and he always sleeps facing the south. Kagome understands the lessons behind these beliefs but Gramps tends to take things to the extreme.

“You were a bit out of sorts yesterday,” Mama comments. “Is everything alright at school?”

“I did well on my history report,” Kagome shares.

Gramps’ mood changes instantly. He leans toward her, his eyes shining with pride. “The one you wrote on the shrine?“

“Yeah.”

He wraps her in a tight hug, causing her to drop her bowl. “Oh, Kagome! You’re going to be a great successor!”

Souta rolls his eyes while Mama grabs a rag to clean up the mess.

“Your grandmother would be so proud,” Gramps says, wiping a tear from his eye. “You know she was a priestess before we got married. It’s a family tradition going back generations.”

“I know,” she replies.

Kagome doesn’t say that she’d rather do anything but become a shrine maiden. She doesn’t want to disappoint him.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The walk to school gives Kagome a reprieve from her obligations. She drops Souta off first, then continues across the street toward Oshukan Secondary School. As Kagome heads down the block, someone calls out to her.

“Ah, Kagome! Hey!”

She turns around and spots her friends, Ayumi, Eri, and Yuka. Kagome greets them with a wave. “Hey!”

“How are you feeling?” Ayumi asks as the girls catch up to her.

“Huh?”

Yuka leans close to her, studying her face. “You look better. At least you combed your hair this morning.”

“Did your grandfather use an ofuda on you? Or did he perform an exorcism?” Eri asks.

Kagome stares at her friends. “What are you talking about?”

“You were acting weird yesterday,” Yuka says.

“Yeah, in class, you forgot which desk was yours and you didn’t wear your uniform properly. It was like you had amnesia or hit your head or something,” Eri tells her

Kagome rubs the back of her head, searching for a bump. “I don’t think I did. I mean, if I had, I’d probably feel dizzy or sick, right?”

“As long as you’re alright,” Ayumi says, patting her on the shoulder.

“I feel fine,” Kagome confirms.

“Are you nervous about the purification ritual?” Ayumi asks.

Kagome comes to an abrupt halt. “Oh my gosh! I completely forgot!”

Her friends gape at her. “You forgot? How could you forget? Your grandfather has been talking about the festival for months now.”

Each summer, the shrine hosts Nagoshi-no-Harae, a ceremony to cast out impurity. In years prior, Gramps has invited priestesses from other towns to perform the ritual but this year, it’s Kagome’s turn.

She’s been working intermittently on crafting the sacred wreath the guests will pass through. Mama and Gramps have taken on most of the work since she’s busy with studying but once the school year concludes, all her free time will be dedicated to the ritual.

“I…,” Kagome trails off, biting her lower lip.

She starts to tell them about her dreams. Sharing experiences is what friends do, right? But for some reason, the words get stuck. Kagome can’t confess that she misses someone she’s never met, especially since she doesn’t even know if they are real. Her friends would laugh at her. 

“I guess I’m just stressed about exams,” she says, brushing it off.

“Yeah, Mr. Sato’s questions are always hard,” Eri agrees.

“At least he’s fair,” Ayumi comments.

“True. He’s a lot better than Miss Kato. She was a tyrant. Remember how strict she was about grammar?” Yuka prompts.

“Don’t remind me,” Eri groans. “I still have nightmares about the markups she left on my exams.”

The girls chat effortlessly, bouncing through various school-related topics until they reach the main gate.

“Oh, Kagome, it looks like Hojo’s waiting for you again,” Yuka says in a sing-song voice while Ayumi wiggles her eyebrows suggestively.

Kagome glances across the courtyard to where Hojo Ueda stands. As soon as he notices her looking at him, he raises his hand and beams.

“Gosh, girl, you’re so lucky,” Eri says, sighing. “He’s the most popular guy in school.”

“It’s probably because he’s so nice to everyone,” Kagome remarks as she waves in return.

“Right,” Eri scoffs sarcastically. “It has nothing to do with the fact his family is well-off and he was blessed with good looks.”

Kagome studies Hojo as they pass. She supposed he is handsome, in a conventional sort of way. There’s nothing wrong with how he looks. Kagome just doesn’t find him appealing. He’s missing something…a certain edge to his features and his coloring is all wrong.

She frowns. Where did that come from?

Suddenly, a flash of memory strikes her. Porcelain skin, silver hair, and gold eyes. Kagome gasps, freezing in place as she desperately tries to hold onto the image. It only lasts for a second, then, like her dreams, it is swept away.

A hand falls on her shoulder. “Are you alright?” Eri asks, brow furrowed in concern.

“Fine,” Kagome assures her.

Eri’s face relaxes. “Good, let’s get to class.”

She follows her friend into classroom 2-A. Their teacher, Mr. Sato is already at the front of the room, preparing to take attendance. He nods at her and the others as they enter.

On her way across the room to her seat, Kagome greets her classmates. A couple of them mention how much they are looking forward to the festival. She fights to keep a smile on her face when she thanks them.

The bell chimes, signaling the start of the day. Mr. Sato starts marking down everyone who is present. Kagome raises her hand dutifully then digs into her bag for a pencil.

“Today, we will be discussing the three Great Unifiers— Hideyoshi, Ieyasu, and Nobunaga.”

As Mr. Sato begins class, Kagome leans over to open her backpack and pulls out her notebook. She flips it to the next page, only to find words already scribbled on the paper.

“Huh?”

In tiny, but exceptionally neat scrawl, are three words.

Who are you?

Kagome blinks, rereads the note, and blinks again. Curious, she flips through the remainder of her notebook. All the pages are blank. There is not a single character written anywhere else.

Kagome returns to the strange note. She is vaguely aware that her teacher is speaking but none of the words register. Kagome is too transfixed by the letters before her. Even though the handwriting is hers, she has no memory of writing the message. Kagome reviews the notes she took yesterday during class. They remain unchanged.

Weird.

She decides it has to be a prank. Souta is probably just messing with her. Kagome rips the sheet out of her notebook and crumbles it up. She can’t waste time worrying about it. The high school entrance exams are coming up. She needs to focus. Kagome turns her attention to Mr. Sato and begins copying the notes from the board. 

By the time she gets home from school, she’s completely forgotten about the strange note. 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A sound wakes Kagome. Though the noise is familiar, it isn’t the shrill cry of the alarm clock she expects. With a groan, she rolls over. Kagome presses her hand down, expecting to feel her mattress but discovering grass instead. 

Her eyes open wide. “Huh? Where…?”

Kagome finds herself leaning against a tree. She’s surrounded by lush foliage. A thick forest towers around her. Birds line the branches, chirping a constant melody. Their song is soothing, especially compared to the blaring of her alarm clock. A large field extends in front of her, spanning as far as the horizon. The air is clear. There are only a handful of clouds in the sky. A light breeze plays with the strands of her hair.

Kagome starts to tuck it back and freezes. “What is this?”

The tresses are silver. Confused, she gathers her hair forward. All of it is the same shade.

“What’s going on?” She looks down and immediately jumps to her feet. “Wait, whose clothes are these?”

Her pink pajamas are gone. In their place is an expensive silk hankimono and pants. Something clatters at her side. Kagome sees a pair of swords tethered to her waist.

“Are these mine?”

Carefully, she unsheathes one of the blades. The design is narrow. There are a few spots where it appears rusted and uneven. Kagome wonders if anyone on her street knows of an antique arms dealer. Maybe they can fix the sword.

As she twists her wrist to check the other side, Kagome spots a pair of magenta stripes on her wrist.

“Ah!” She drops the sword and hastily shoves up her sleeve.

The markings curve around her wrist and up her forearm. A quick check confirms that they are mirrored on her right side as well.

Her heart hammers loudly in her chest. “W-What is happening to me?”

She bolts from the tree line and heads for the sound of water. Like the birds overhead, Kagome hears the sound clearly so she’s surprised when she finds the stream almost a kilometer away. Dazed, she glances over her shoulder. She crossed the distance in record time. Adrenaline can only count for so much. Trembling, she kneels by the water and looks at her reflection.

Golden eyes regard her. Gingerly, Kagome traces the magenta stripes that sweep across sharp cheekbones. Her hand grazes the edge of ears that are larger than average. They are pointy too. Long silver hair falls over her shoulder, falling over the polished metal armor plates she wears.

Kagome studies herself. It’s hard to decide what she’s feeling. Equal parts of fear, confusion, and awe cloud her mind. The longer she stares at her reflection, the more she notices. Details such as the fine embroidery on the yellow sash around her waist and the sakura blossoms on the hankimono. They are lovely but even their stunning beauty can’t compare to the face she sees in the river.

This man— if a man is what she can call him —is gorgeous. Even with his unusual tattoos and elvish ears, he is the most attractive person Kagome has ever seen. She can’t pull her eyes away from the image.

“Lord Sesshomaru! Why have you come here?”

She jolts, startled by the shrieking creature that appears at her side. Before Kagome realizes what she’s doing, she leaps away. Her body lifts into the air easily and lands several meters from the imp. He gapes at her.

“Lord Sesshomaru, why!” the creature begins to wail. “Why do you reject your most humble servant?”

Servant?

Kagome looks down at her hands, wondering if the markings on her body indicate a particular status. Do the tattoos make her a lord or did she receive them because she’s a lord?

A snort comes from behind Kagome. She whips around to find a two-headed dragon watching her.

Someone tugs on her pant leg. “Lord Sesshomaru?” Kagome glances down and sees a young girl with wide brown eyes. “You dropped this,” she says, holding out the sword Kagome dropped earlier.

“Thank you.”

“A-Un and I were worried about you,” the girl says.

Kagome looks at the imp. “He scared me.”

The girl tilts her head. “That’s not A-Un. That’s Master Jaken.”

“Lord Sesshomaru has forgotten me!” the creature wails, flailing wildly.

Kagome frowns, unsure how to calm him. Another tug on her pants. Kagome kneels so she is at eye level with the little girl. “Master Jaken has been worried about you, Lord Sesshomaru.”

“Why?”

“Because of how strange you’ve been acting lately,” the child responds. She looks to be about eight or nine which makes her Souta’s age.

“Strange how?” Kagome asks.

“Some days you seem normal but other days…,” the girl trails off, tapping a single finger against her chin as she thinks. “You act more like a big sister than my guardian. You braid A-Un’s hair, are kind to Master Jaken, and sing to me.”

Kagome tries to remember the little girl’s face. With her innocent brown eyes and cheeky smile, Kagome is certain she’d remember if they had met before. Yet, no memory surfaces. Because this is a dream, she thinks.

“What’s your name?”

“Rin.”

“That’s a pretty name,” Kagome tells her.

She grins. “You said that last time too.”

“I did?”

“Yeah,” Rin says with a laugh.

Kagome leans closer, cupping a hand to her mouth. “Can you tell me what I’m supposed to do?”

“Well, yesterday you sent me off to play with Master Jaken and A-Un while you slayed demons.”

“Aren’t I a demon too?”

“Yup, the strongest one alive! That’s why you make the best guardian,” Rin announces proudly.

Jaken inches toward her. “You have fought many battles, my lord. All of them have ended in victory for you.” 

“But I don’t know how to kill demons,” Kagome mumbles.

A small hand closes over hers. “Of course you do,” Rin says reassuringly. “You saved Master Jaken when his tribe was attacked and you saved me from the bandits who killed my parents and brother.”

Anger surges through her. Kagome has a sudden, undeniable urge to shove her clawed hand through someone’s chest. That will ensure those rogues never target an innocent child again.

She catches herself and shakes her head. Murdering someone won’t solve anything. Besides, it’s not like any of this is real. This is all just an elaborate dream she’s having. She really has to stop playing video games with Souta before bed.  

“I have to do something other than killing,” Kagome says. 

“You are referred to as ‘The Killing Perfection,’ my lord,” Jaken informs her. 

“Well, not today. Today, we’re going to do something fun,” she decides. 

This causes Rin’s eyes to light up. “Like what?”

“If you could do anything for the day, what would you choose?” Kagome asks. 

“Eat sweets!” the little girl cheers. 

Kagome turns to the imp. “Jaken, what would you like to do?” 

The imp’s eyes grow impossibly larger at her question. “You care what activities I care to partake in?” Kagome nods. He regards her for a moment, then dissolves into tears. “My lord is so gracious this morning!” 

Kagome straightens up and walks over to the two-headed dragon. “What about you, A-Un?” she asks, scratching each one behind the ears. 

The beast leans into her touch. He is either a good-natured creature or she has gained his trust. Kagome believes it must be the former since, like with Rin, she has no memory of A-Un.

“Would you like something delicious too? Maybe a rabbit or a squirrel?”

“A-Un doesn’t eat meat,” Rin says.

Kagome glances at the nearest head’s mouth. Sure enough, the teeth that line his jaw are broad and flat like a cow’s teeth. They are not made for consuming flesh and bone.

“A nice bushel of apples then,” Kagome suggests.

The dragon snorts in approval.

She scans the forest. None of the trees that surround them are fruit-bearing. They will need to find somewhere to purchase treats.

Jaken arrives at the same conclusion and says, “Lord Sesshomaru, there is a village nearby which is certain to meet your needs.”

“Thank you, Jaken. Have you decided what you’d like to do today?”

“Whatever pleases you, my lord.”

“That isn’t what I asked,” Kagome returns, slightly annoyed that he won’t give her a direct answer. The sooner he decides, the quicker they can set off for the village.

“Errr, well, I suppose….”

“Yes?”

“I would be most grateful if you would formally accept me as your vassal, Lord Sesshomaru.”

The request is a rushed string of words that Kagome barely manages to understand. She stares at the imp. Jaken has both webbed hands clasped around his staff and is hunched forward as though he expects her to strike him. The image clears the fog of irritation from her mind.

Why is she so upset? A couple of minutes isn’t going to change anything. She massages her temples, wondering why her emotions are so turbulent.

“Okay,” she agrees.

Kagome has never named a vassal before. It’s not part of Mr. Sato’s curriculum, so she uses medieval films as a reference point.

“Master Jaken, please kneel,” she commands, unsheathing her blade. The imp falls to the ground in front of her. “From this day forward, you shall be known as Master Jaken, my vassal and traveling companion.” Kagome taps his shoulders with the tip of her sword as she speaks. “Rise, Master Jaken.”

Rin lunges at Jaken, enveloping him in a hug. “You finally got your wish, Master Jaken.”

“Let go of me, girl!”

Rin ignores him and clings tighter.

Despite his protests, Kagome sees how happy the praise makes him. She returns her blade to its scabbard with a smile.

Kagome likes this trio of strangers. They are a loyal group— a bit troublesome yet kind. It may be dream rationale that inspires her to make them happy but Kagome vows to make today special for them.

By sunset, their bellies are full and A-Un’s saddlebags are filled with treats procured from a nearby village. Rin stifles a yawn and Kagome locates a quiet clearing where they can settle for the night. While they set up camp, Jaken grumbles how spoiled the little girl is. “Who do she think she is? Asking Lord Sesshomaru for such things?” 

Suddenly, the memory of her notebook comes back to her. Kagome stills. Hadn’t the person who wrote the message asked her something similar? Is it possible that what she is experiencing isn’t one-sided?

“Rin, do we have any ink?”

The little girl begins digging through the dragon’s saddlebags. “Do you want parchment too?”

“No, just ink and a brush, please.”

Carefully, Kagome paints the characters of her name on the inside of her palm. This way, he’ll be sure to see her answer. 

While she waits for it to dry, she lies down in the grass. The heavens stretch forth in an expanse of blue so deep it is nearly black. One by one, the stars come into view. Kagome counts them until she loses track. Her eyes become heavy and her breathing slows. The day has caught up with her.

As she drifts off her last thought is: What a strange dream.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

Kagome’s hand slams down, silencing her alarm clock. She wakes in her room. Everything from the fluffy, pink comforter on her bed to the desk lined with homework is familiar. There are no signs of imps, two-headed dragons, or little girls who love sweets.

Her chest aches. It was just a dream, she consoles herself. None of it was real.

She dresses for school and heads downstairs to have breakfast.

“Good morning,” Kagome greets her family, taking her seat beside Souta.

Everyone freezes, gawking at her. Kagome glances down, double-checking that she’s wearing her uniform properly.

“Kagome, are you…how are you? Feeling any better today?” Mama asks.

She frowns. “Better?”

“You are possessed!” Gramps cries accusingly, pointing a finger at her.

“What?”

“Gramps,” Mama chides.

“You were pretty scary yesterday, Sis,” Souta agrees.

“Yesterday? What do you mean? I came home and helped with dinner then cleaned out the storehouse.”

“That was the day before. Yesterday, you acted weird. You kept calling us humans and arguing with everyone,” Souta explains.

Kagome looks at Mama for confirmation. She nods.

“What? But I don’t remember any of that!”

“Maybe she is possessed by a demon,” Souta remarks.

A demon? Kagome stiffens. She remembers silver hair, golden eyes, and pale skin decorated with markings. In her dream, she was someone else— something else —but if she was there as him, did that mean that he had been here as her?

“Don’t be so dramatic. It’s not a demon; Kagome is a teenager. She’s at a difficult stage in her life but it will pass,” Mama says.

Gramps scoffs. Souta shrugs and continues eating his meal. Kagome bows her head in thanks. Her mother has a knack for de-escalating situations. Kagome hopes she has inherited the trait because, if the atmosphere in her home is any indication, she’s going to have to smooth things over at school.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Kagome spends her day navigating a minefield of issues. It starts with her friends, who are upset about her rude comments from yesterday. Kagome winces when Eri reveals that she said she smells like old fish.

Next comes Mr. Sato. Her teacher pulls her aside after the morning bell to remind her of classroom etiquette. He also mentions that if she causes another scene, he’ll be forced to suspend her. She spends the rest of the morning wearing a shameful blush while silently taking notes.

At lunchtime, Hojo catches her eye. He starts to wave, then seems to think better of it and turns back to a conversation with one of his friends. Kagome frowns, not understanding the sudden change in his demeanor. Ayumi tells Kagome how she snapped at him the day before.

“You told him to stop sniffing around. You weren’t interested.”

“I did what?” Kagome shrieks. She’s so stunned that she doesn’t notice everyone staring at her.

“It will be fine,” Ayumi assures her, patting her on the back.

“Fine? How can this ever be fine? I need to transfer to a different school or move or something,” Kagome says.

Her friends exchange a look.

“What?”

“Well,” Yuka hedges, “yesterday you did mention returning to the Western Lands.”

Western Lands? Why does that phrase sound so familiar?

“We assumed you meant another shrine, you know, as practice for the summer,” Yuka continues. “It might be better for you to get away from all the pressure your grandfather has you under so you can focus on your studies. The entrance exams are only a few months away.”

“I know,” Kagome replies.

She knows how important getting into a decent high school is. Especially if Kagome wants to pursue a career outside of the shrine.

“You weren’t yourself yesterday,” Ayumi says. “Just apologize to Hojo like you did with us and Mr. Sato.”

“Tell him you are interested. You just got flustered,” Yuka agrees.

Kagome chews on her lower lip. But I’m not…

Lying won’t make things better between her and Hojo. Kagome wishes she did have feelings for him. Things would certainly be easier that way. Maybe then she wouldn’t wake up missing someone she doesn’t even know.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

After school, she walks home with her friends. Kagome mentions going to WacDonald’s over the weekend which turns the conversation away from her strange behavior. While her three friends debate what time to go, she tries to remember yesterday. Kagome figures that by now all the stories she’s heard would trigger a memory. Yet she remembers nothing.

It isn’t until she’s back home in her bedroom that Kagome comes across the note tucked in her mirror frame.

Cease with your inane meddling. 

“What?” She stares at the words in disbelief.

Realization dawns on her and she rips through her backpack in search of her notebook. Kagome finds the rough edges where the page she tore out once existed.

If she hadn’t tossed it away, she could compare the handwriting. Even so, Kagome knows it’s the same. The neatly arranged characters have been inked with far more care than her normal sloppy scrawl. This message is from the same person as before.

She echoes his question to her. “Who are you?”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Over the next month, Kagome loses track of her days more often. A few times a week she wakes up with no memory of the day before— at least not of a day spent in Tokyo.

What she does remember is her time in the Sengoku Period. Each time they switch places, Kagome can retain her memories a bit longer. She starts to anticipate waking to Rin’s toothy grin and Jaken’s incessant whining.

When she returns to her time, she finds notes stuck on her mirror or in the margins of her schoolwork. The latest one reads: If you insist on purchasing sweets for the girl, use your own funds.

Considering the expensive garments Sesshomaru wears, she doubts he’ll miss a few coins. Stingy jerk! Kagome crumbles up the note and tosses it in her wastebasket.

Although she’s inhabited the demon lord’s body several times, Kagome knows next to nothing about him. The notes he leaves behind are harsh reprimands or rude observations. He never shares anything about himself. Without direction, Kagome spends her days as she pleases.

She learns to ride A-Un, plays games with Rin, and teaches Jaken how to shoot. His small stature and webbed hands give him trouble so Kagome has a custom bow crafted for him. Of course, Sesshomaru chides her for this too.

Why do you insist on wasting my coins on such frivolous things?

That note finds its way to the trash along with the others. He’s not her boss. Besides, it’s not like he’s doing much better.

Sesshomaru doesn’t know the first thing about being a shrine maiden. He refuses to set foot inside any building on the campus except for her family’s home. Practicing with Gramps is out of the question. Even if Sesshomaru knew how to conduct the ritual, he wouldn’t. He views spiritual power as dangerous— an opinion he makes quite clear in his notes.

Kagome has never seen her abilities manifest, at least not the way Gramps describes in his stories. She used to think he exaggerated the power of the women who came before her. Sesshomaru’s reaction changed her mind.

She stares at her hands. Even if he is a jerk, Kagome would never hurt him. He’s annoying but Kagome still thinks about him often. Mostly, she wonders about his life. What’s his family like? Does he have any friends beyond his traveling companions? How did he earn his title of ‘The Killing Perfection’?

Since she can’t get the answers from him, Kagome asks Jaken. The imp’s interest in his master extends past loyalty into the realm of blind devotion. Jaken is beyond excited to share what he knows with her. Kagome feels uncomfortable asking but, in the end, her curiosity wins out over her guilt.

She learns that Sesshomaru is the firstborn son of the Great Dog Demon, Touga Taisho. His mother, Arisu Akibara, is an equally influential member of demon culture. She comes from a noble family whose ancestral home is a castle in the clouds. Sesshomaru is their only child. However, his father has another child by his human wife.

Kagome wonders how the relationship came to be. Was accepted by both Touga and Arisu or if Touga’s decision to take on his human wife was one he made alone? If it was the latter, she could understand Sesshomaru’s opinion of humans.

He hasn’t cast Rin out. In fact, from what Kagome’s heard, Sesshomaru is quite protective of the little girl. Rin tells her how diligent he is in his care of her. Kagome didn’t anticipate that.

She opens the drawer of her desk and pulls out a fresh notebook.

I’ll limit Rin’s sweets intake if you promise to sit properly when wearing a skirt. Deal?

A few days later, a note appears underneath her request.

Agreed.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

After their initial truce, Kagome and Sesshomaru find a rhythm. They don’t switch every day or even every other day. There isn’t an identifiable pattern. The intermittent change means they have to trust one another, otherwise, their connection could go from complicated to disastrous. It’s Sesshomaru who suggests implementing guidelines.

Several drafts are written before they are in agreement. The final version on consists of three basic rules:

Even once they agree to the list, there are missteps, such as Sesshomaru’s prowess in gym class and Kagome’s choice to adopt an orphaned kitsune. Sesshomaru is not pleased when he finds out that she has added yet another companion to his traveling group. Kagome isn’t happy either. Trying to explain how she was able to spike the volleyball at 132 km/h is a challenge. Mr. Toriumi is relentless in his pursuit to convince her to join the team…until Kagome can’t even get the ball over the net.

She’s relieved. Sports teams have rigorous schedules and with high school entrance exams coming up, Kagome doesn’t have much free time. She and her friends haven’t been to WacDonald’s in weeks— partially because Sesshomaru prefers his meat raw but mainly due to their packed study schedules.

While Kagome takes a break from reviewing formulas, she reads Sesshomaru’s latest entry in their shared journal.

21st of March, 1996

Attended rudimentary education

Spoke to females

Completed chores

She sighs, shaking her head. He catalogs the events the same way a manager takes inventory. Each line item is short, concise and completely devoid of emotion. Well, almost every line.

Forced to stomach another meal of dried fish and rice.

Annoyed, Kagome scribbles a response underneath.

If you don’t like it, don’t eat it!

“Seriously,” she grumbles, shoving the journal aside. “Would it kill him to be nice once in a while?”

Her entries are more descriptive. She writes about her days in terms of her relationships versus tasks. The last time they switched places, Kagome filled an entire scroll with the details of her visit. She took Rin to the lake. The little girl had mentioned that she didn’t know how to swim so Kagome made a point to teach her.

Here in the modern era, her days are less interesting but still active. She starts with school, followed by chores, dinner with her family, and homework. Kagome finds herself sharing stories with Sesshomaru, everything from Ayumi’s selections for the choir to Gramps’ latest attempt to generate revenue for the shrine. Kagome writes about how she feels too— her insecurities about getting into high school and her fear of disappointing her family because she doesn’t want to be a shrine maiden. 

He never comments on the entries. Kagome wonders if he even bothers to read them. Then, one day, Souta thanks her for helping him perfect his penalty kick. At first, Kagome doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Then, she realizes that the day before was one of their switch days. Sesshomaru must have spent the afternoon running soccer drills with Souta. 

In one of her entries, she talked about Souta’s love of soccer and how glad she was that he found a hobby to be passionate about. Kagome also lamented about how she wasn’t skilled enough to train with him. There is a chance that Sesshomaru never read the entry,— that his support was a coincidence —but Kagome prefers to think that he did. 

Resting her head on her palm, Kagome stares out the window. She wonders if he’s out there, wandering the streets of Tokyo. Do daiyokai live that long? Considering how stubborn Sesshomaru is, she doubts he’d let something as fickle as time overcome him. Would he conceal his markings with makeup to avoid detection? Or would he simply choose to live in a more secluded region where he didn’t have to worry about human scrutiny?

Kagome decides Sesshomaru would prefer the latter. He never remains in one location for long. He travels the countryside, seeking power. Kagome would call him a vagabond if it weren’t for the kids.

Despite his initial protests about Rin and Shippo, the kit she adopted, Sesshomaru treats them both well. The last time she switched places with him, Rin told her that he’d taken them to a festival— a detail which he conveniently forgot to include in his account of the day.

He is subtle in the ways he shows compassion for others. Kagome imagines he must look indifferent most of the time. Sesshomaru tends to keep things to himself. Communicating with him can be difficult unless you understand his language. It took a while but Kagome had learned that words are meaningless to him. It’s Sesshomaru’s actions that truly define him.

Kagome reaches over and adds a note to the end of his journal entry.

I think we should meet. How do you feel about coffee?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Kagome sits in the corner of Tessie’s Cafe, idly stirring her coffee. The clock behind the counter tells her that he’s late. She sighs and continues watching the door for signs of Sesshomaru’s approach.

Outside, people pass by, a constant flow of movement. People run their errands, preparing for the week ahead. Friends meet up to go to the nearby arcade. Couples stroll arm in arm on their way for a meal before the movie theater’s next showing. Like fish in a river, they follow the flow, never breaking out of the norm.

She frowns and looks away. Was this a bad idea? Will meeting change the truce they’ve struck? Kagome starts to forget why she insisted on coming here. Did she really think a cup of coffee would impress Sesshomaru?

The bell above the door chimes. She jolts. Where she expects to see a mane of silver, there is only muted brown hair. Kagome drops her gaze to the dark liquid in front of her. The drink has gone cold yet she refuses to leave.

Just five more minutes .

Kagome stays until the owner asks her to leave. During her walk home, it begins to rain. She welcomes the downpour. It hides her tears. 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

She stops writing long, detailed accounts of her day. Kagome won’t go back on her promise, but she doesn’t share more than is necessary. 

Sesshomaru notices the change instantly. His initial apology comes in the form of flowers. There are white lilies for his wish to leave the past behind and start fresh, yellow tulips to demonstrate that he views her as a friend, and blue hyacinths to express his hope to make peace with her.

Jaken and Rin have bouquets ready. When Kagome wakes to the fresh blooms, tears cloud her vision. She didn’t expect him to care.

His second apology is even more surprising. Jaken opens A-Un’s saddlebag to reveal a container of scrolls. Kagome unrolls one to find a painting of Rin. The next one contains several sketches of Jaken and A-Un fighting over the last of the apples. She spends the entire day reviewing Sesshomaru’s depictions of his companions. There is even a painting of Shippo learning how to use foxfire. 

The next day, she resumes writing to Sesshomaru. He never explains his absence at the cafe and Kagome doesn’t ask. Whatever his reason was for not coming, she trusts it was a good one. 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

After the high school entrance exams, the students are released for summer break. Yuka, Eri, and Ayumi make plans to go to the beach but Kagome is forced to remain at the shrine. Gramps wants this year’s Nagoshi-no-Harae to be perfect.

She practices for hours each day. They go through the entire ceremony from start to finish. When Kagome does well, Gramps applauds her efforts. When she forgets a step, he chides her for not taking the festival seriously.

By the end of the third day, Kagome is exhausted. The steps feel unnatural. Gramps tells her to flow through the pattern effortlessly, like a river. She doesn’t feel like a river. The stiff, jerky quality of her movements is more reminiscent of her cousin when he first learned to drive. Kagome feels as though she’s at war with herself. What she wants differs between her head and her heart. 

The ceremony is an important occasion for the shrine, not solely because of its spiritual significance but because of how it affects her family. The worshippers who gather for the Nagoshi-no-Harae will bring offerings. If she does a good job, it is likely they will return and continue to be patrons of the shrine. The success of the event has a direct financial impact on her family.

Yet, Kagome can’t shake the feeling that this is wrong— not the ceremony, per se, but what it symbolizes to those she’s grown close to. When she was a child, the idea of expelling evil sounded like a cool superpower— something a hero would do. Kagome doesn’t feel like a hero. She feels like a hypocrite. How can she claim to be the descendant of a famous miko when her best friend is a daiyokai? 

Her step falters.

“Kagome, you missed the cue again!” Gramps chides.

She closes her eyes and exhales.

“Let’s take a break,” her grandfather suggests. Grateful, Kagome joins him under the shade of the Sacred Tree.

The sun, which has been beating down on her all afternoon, is beginning to set. It casts an orange haze over the city as it begins to descend behind the skyscrapers.

“This is the most precarious time of day,” Gramps informs her.

“What do you mean?”

“Dusk was once called ‘the Golden Hour’. Do you know why?” Gramps asks.

Kagome shakes her head.

“People believe that as the sun sets and the moon rises, a window opens between our world and the next. Each day at this time, light and dark are perfectly balanced. It only lasts for a few seconds, but at that moment, anything can cross over,” Gramps explains.

“Anything?”

“Some have claimed to have seen spirits, others have heard the voices of loved ones lost calling over from the other side.”

Kagome stares at the sacred tree. Is that what has been happening to her? 

“Be careful,” her grandfather warns. “What you see may look friendly but it is most certainly a trap. What lies in the in-between is the part of the netherworld. If you get too close, it may draw you in.” 

As though awoken by her grandfather’s words, Kagome feels a pull. The sensation yanks at her as though she is connected by an invisible cord, but it doesn’t lead her toward the tree where her grandfather’s attention is. It pulls her toward the old well. Kagome takes a step toward the well house, then, remembering herself, she shakes her head. “They’re just stories, Gramps. It’s all superstition.” 

“It’s not,” he insists with a sharp tap of his cane on her leg. “Our history is entwined with the shrine’s past. Everything on these grounds was built by our ancestors, including that well which serves as the resting place for hundreds of demons.”

Kagome’s stomach churns uneasily. She does not like that sound of that. 

“One of our ancestors trusted a demon. She grew to care for him— love him, even —and he betrayed her. She died, leaving her younger sister to take over for her. When the girl became of age, she did what no other priestess before her had done. She eradicated all the demons from Japan.” 

The blood drains from Kagome’s face. Is that the reason Sesshomaru stood her up? Did her ancestor kill him? Emotion constricts her throat and burns her eyes. She shoves past her grandfather, not wanting to hear any more about the shrine, their so-called legacy, or her part in it. 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Kagome lies in bed and stares at the ceiling. Gramps has been telling her about the shrine since she was born but this afternoon’s story was different. That was the first time he’s ever mentioned their role in destroying demonkind.  Since finding out the truth, Kagome hasn’t been able to look at herself in the mirror.

How could someone murder hundreds upon thousands of people, simply because they were born different? How is that worthy of recognition? A priestess is meant to be pure. Evil spirits are dangerous but Kagome knows not all demons have dark motivations. They’re just like humans— some are good and some are bad. It’s unfair to judge them solely based on their race.

She thinks of A-Un and Jaken. The benevolent beast and the whiny imp are harmless. Jaken has his moments but, overall, he means well. He’s done a fair job of looking after the kids and he’s loyal to a fault. As for the two-headed dragon, Kagome can’t imagine a gentler companion. The thought of someone ending his life makes her eyes well up with tears.

Shippo is a child. He can be mischievous but he isn’t malicious. She’s seen him flourish through his connection to the others. He’s assimilated to the group and considers them his new family. Shippo is protective of Rin, despite the fact they are about the same age— at least in terms of their physical appearance. Kagome knows he’d never intentionally hurt anyone.

Then there’s Sesshomaru. In the beginning, his temper concerned her but Kagome has grown to understand how deeply he cares for his companions. Sesshomaru would risk his life for any one of them, even Jaken. He may make remarks to suggest otherwise, but Kagome knows the truth. His traveling companions are his pack.

A choked sob escapes her. When it comes to him, Kagome can’t hold back her tears. She’s overwhelmed by the impending loss. There will be no more paintings, no more notes, no more switching— no more Sesshomaru . The ache in her chest is so great that Kagome glances down to make sure it hasn’t cracked open. She doesn’t want to exist in a world without him— without any of them.

There has to be a way to stop this from happening. There just has to.

Kagome wipes her face clean. The heaviness in her heart won’t deter her. Kagome isn’t sure how much time Sesshomaru and the others have left. She can’t afford to waste another minute crying in her bedroom. Kicking her sheets aside, she climbs out of bed.

Gramps keeps the shrine’s historical records in the storehouse. If there is an account of the priestess he mentioned, it will be there. It’s a long shot but it’s the only option Kagome has.

She sneaks downstairs and out of the house. A crescent moon hangs in the sky, serving as a reminder of what is at stake.

Kagome creeps across the yard. The spare key is stashed in a groove underneath the porch. It takes her a few tries to dig it out, then she’s inside.

Ledgers, notebooks, and parchment scrolls line the back corner. Kagome starts by checking the dates on the scrolls. They are old— considered antiques by most collectors —but none of them go back far enough to describe the situation in Edo.

Discouraged, she shoves the last one into its designated slot. The force dislodges a hidden compartment along the bottom of the shelf.

Kagome’s eyes go wide. There, tucked away from the light and dust, are three scrolls. Each is bound in a braided, red cord. Tiny gold ornaments hang from each of the knots. They are each etched with a number, depicting their order. Carefully, Kagome gathers them in her arms and takes them outside to read in the moonlight.

15th of June, 1485

My sister is dead. She was attacked by the same hanyou who has been following her. While she was bleeding out, he attempted to steal the Shikon no Tama. Kikyo managed to stop him and bind him to a tree so he cannot harm anyone else. It was her final act in this life.

16th of June, 1485

The villagers constructed a pyre for today’s ceremony. I honored Kikyo’s wishes and sent her off with the sacred jewel. I pray that she finds peace in the afterlife.

17th of June, 1485

I visited Onigumo today. He was distraught when I shared the news of my sister’s passing. Though I have never trusted him, Kikyo tended to him with kindness and understanding. In her place, I will strive to do the same.

18th of June, 1485

The village has asked me to serve them as my sister once did. Though I have yet to complete my training, I have accepted their offer. I cannot imagine leaving the place where we lived together, and I will not abandon those who she swore to protect.

Kagome continues reading through the entries. Kikyo’s sister describes her days in the village and how she balanced her spiritual duties along with fulfilling her sister’s legacy by caring for the injured man in the cave.

Her depiction of Onigumo makes Kagome’s skin crawl. The man is brutally scarred and unable to move yet there is something about the way he speaks to Kikyo’s sister that unnerves Kagome. She becomes more suspicious of his motives in the next scroll.

10th of September, 1485

On my way back from my training in Chiba, I stopped in to check on Onigumo. The cave was empty. He left nothing behind— no clothes, provisions, not even the bed mat Kikyo wove for him. All that remained was a scorched patch of earth where he once laid.

18th of September, 1485

There have been numerous accounts of demon attacks in nearby villages. River nymphs are luring unsuspecting travels to their deaths. Spirits, who we once considered allies, have turned violent. I can feel the stirrings of dark energy nearing our village. There is a malevolent demon at work. I checked Inuyasha’s forest but my sister’s binding spell remains intact. Wherever this new threat came from, doesn’t matter. I will put an end to it.

The remainder of the second scroll details the priestess’s intense training. There are gaps between the dates of her entries. She no longer takes the time to write daily. A few weeks go by without a single note and further down she skips entire months. By the end of the second scroll, she has advanced into adulthood.

The tone of her entries changes. The empathy she once displayed is gone. The shift in her personality is so drastic that even her writing style differs.

7th of April 1493

Hitomi castle has given us an advantage. With the daimyo’s assistance, we’ve been able to capture and purify more than a thousand demons. Once this area is cleansed, we’ll move west.

Kagome’s breath hitches. West. Sesshomaru. She unfurls the scroll, hastily scanning for any mention of the daiyokai.

The priestess describes countless battles. She shows no compassion for her fallen comrades nor does she indicate if any ceremonies were held to honor their sacrifice. She rarely writes about her sister anymore. The only thing she appears concerned with is her goal of purifying every demon in Japan.

Even if it means sacrificing herself.

13th of February, 1503

It has taken ten long years but today I finally earned justice for my sister’s death. The country is free from the evil of demons, and though I will not survive until morning, I am comforted by the fact that I will see Kikyo soon.

Kagome stares at the scroll with shaking hands. She struggles to swallow around the lump forming in her throat. She had hoped Gramps was wrong, that he’d been overzealous in his retelling and exaggerated the facts. That hope withers and dies as she reads the priestess’s final words.

This can’t be it , Kagome thinks. There has to be something else— something I missed. 

She grabs the first scroll and begins re-reading it. Kagome does the same with the second and the third, rotating through each until the sun rises. As the golden rays cascade across the parchment, she thinks about her conversation with Gramps. 

Quickly, before anyone in her family wakes, she tucks the scrolls back into the secret compartment, locks the storehouse, and returns to her room. Kagome opens their shared journal. 

Let’s try to get together again but this time, I’m coming to you. Meet me in Edo. 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It’s been a few days since her note. The last time they switched, Sesshomaru promised to be there. They both agreed that none of their companions should be present. Kagome knows tampering with time could lead to disastrous consequences, especially since their main prerogative is preventing a murder. She needs to focus on protecting Kikyo, so she can salvage the future. 

Kagome paces, counting down the minutes until the Golden Hour. She flexes her hands. Kagome doesn’t want to mistake nerves for the pull she felt before. If her suspicions are correct, this may be her only chance to speak directly with Sesshomaru.

And the only chance to save him. 

She watches as the sun lowers itself beneath a skyline of metal and glass. For an instant, time seems to pause. Kagome feels a pulse, soundless but reaching outward like a ripple in a pond. She blinks and suddenly the entire world is bathed in golden light. Her lips part in wonder.

There is a tingle coming from her pinky finger. Kagome glances down, expecting to see a string only to find nothing but her own hand. She flexes her fingers again, yet the sensation remains. Time to test her theory.

Kagome enters the well house. She leaves the doors open, allowing the final rays of the day to illuminate the interior. The well, once boarded up for safety, now stands open before her. Its wide opening beckons Kagome to jump in. So she does. 

She descends into darkness. Somewhere between leaping over the edge and the dirt flooring, the atmosphere changes. Her body becomes weightless, as though Kagome is floating in a pool rather than free falling. Her hair lifts away from her neck, billowing around her. She swipes her hand through the air. Tiny particles of light swish between her fingertips like grains of sand. They twinkle once, twice, then disappear. 

Slowly, she comes to rest at the bottom. Her feet touch down first and gradually gravity comes into effect again. Her hair hangs around her face, falling over her shoulders. Kagome glances up. Instead of the wooden roof of the well house, she sees a blue sky. She grins. 

Climbing out takes patience. She mutters more than one unkind word under her breath during her attempts. When Kagome finally swings her legs over the top, her breathing is labored and she is covered in a fine sheen of sweat. 

It’s morning in the Sengoku Period. The sun is rising in the East and the trill of birds sounds from overhead. She takes a breath to steady herself, only to find that she isn’t alone. Metallic eyes bore into her. Kagome yelps and nearly tumbles backward into the well. A clawed hand shoots out, grabbing her by the wrist and hauling her away from the threat of falling. 

“Sesshomaru.”

He bows his head. “Kagome.” 

She forgets all pretense and throws her arms around him. He stiffens. Remembering herself, Kagome apologizes and takes a step back. He regards her with an unreadable expression. She clears her throat. “Are the others safe?” 

Sesshomaru nods. “I left the pups in the care of A-Un and Jaken. I am impressed you were able to find a way to travel through time.”

Kagome shrugs. “I wasn’t sure it would work but I’m glad it did. Do you know what today is?”

“June 15th.” 

“Exactly. What happens today will change the course of history. It’s why we were unable to meet in the future.” 

He frowns. “How do you know this?”

Kagome explains about the journal scrolls she found in the shrine storeroom. Sesshomaru listens to her, head tilting when she mentions that a hanyou is responsible for her ancestor’s death. 

“Inuyasha.”

“Huh?” 

“My half-brother,” Sesshomaru clarifies. “He has developed a… fondness for the priestess of this village.”

Her eyebrows jump. “Wait, do you mean he has a crush on her?”

“Crush?” 

“He likes her,” Kagome rephrases. “But, no, that doesn’t make any sense. If he cares about her, why would he kill her?” 

“He would not,” Sesshomaru confirms. “Inuyasha may be a foolish half-breed, but he is far too sentimental to take a life. Her death will not come at his hands. There is another player in this game.” 

“Whoever it is, we have to stop them,” Kagome says. 

Sesshomaru leads her to the village. The residents mill around outside their huts. The women are down by the river to wash their laundry. Children run along the dirt path behind them, chasing each other. The men tend to their crops in the field. Everyone is busy, including the village priestess. 

Kagome spots her instantly. Kikyo is easy to identify in her red hakama and white kosode. She looks to be about Kagome’s age, though there is a maturity to her mannerisms that makes her appear older. Kikyo stops to speak to several individuals as she makes her way through the village. She doesn’t turn a single person away and pays particular attention to the children. 

A little girl trails after her, eager to please. Kagome realizes that this must be Kikyo’s younger sister, the priestess who wrote the scrolls— and who purified all the demons in Japan. 

“You expect me to believe that child will bring about the downfall of my kind?” Sesshomaru inquires skeptically. 

“Not yet but in a few years, yeah. How would you feel if someone took your brother away from you?”

“Grateful.” 

Kagome rolls her eyes. “You don’t mean that.” 

“You have not met Inuyasha,” Sesshomaru counters. 

“Well, I’m about to,” she replies, watching as Kikyo strolls across the river and away from the village unaccompanied. 

They follow, making sure to keep their distance so the priestess doesn’t notice them. Kikyo climbs the hillside. She veers to the left, heading away from the forest out into a field. Sesshomaru and Kagome hide in the shadows of the treeline. 

“Strange,” Sesshomaru comments.

“What is?”

“Whoever means to kill her is unconcerned with being caught. They have chosen a wide-open space where anyone passing by could see.” Kagome begins to speak but is interrupted by Sesshomaru drawing his sword. “He’s here.” Her eyes go wide as a man steps into the clearing.

He’s younger than she expected, probably the same age as Kikyo. Nothing about his appearance screams assassin. He’s not even armed. At least, that’s what Kagome thinks until she spots the ears. Beside her, Sesshomaru tenses. 

“Do you know him?” she asks. 

“No.”

“But you recognize him?” 

“I recognize the form he’s chosen to use,” Sesshomaru responds. “If there is one thing I despise more than my brother, it is a coward. This one is foolish enough to seek to tarnish the Taisho name. I will not allow that to stand.” 

“But why? Why pin the blame on Inuyasha?” 

“I intend to find out.” 

With that, Sesshomaru springs into action. He lands between the newcomer and the priestess. Kikyo glances over, startled. She starts to call out to the false Inuyasha but her words are lost as the impersonator swipes at Sesshomaru. He dodges the attack and counters with a swing of his blade. 

Kagome dashes out from the treeline. “Come on,” she says to Kikyo, looping her arm through the priestess’s. “We need to get you out of here.” 

Kikyo eyes her warily. It’s only then that Kagome realizes how similar they look. The resemblance is uncanny. Everything except for the color of their eyes is the same. It’s easy to tell that they are related. Kikyo must come to the same conclusion because her expression darkens. “You shouldn’t be here,” she says accusingly. 

“Later,” Kagome snaps, yanking her away from the fight. 

Sesshomaru and his attacker are reduced to blurs of red and white. Kagome hears the clang of his sword each time he strikes the imposter. She can’t tell how his opponent continues to evade the blows. She didn’t see him carrying any form of defense but from the sounds of the fight, Sesshomaru is up against a form of resistance. The two slam together, then break apart, landing several meters from each other. 

“That is not Inuyasha,” Kikyo murmurs. 

“No kidding,” Kagome replies. 

She follows the woman’s gaze to Sesshomaru. He has his opponent on the ground, trapped beneath his boot. The tip of his sword is poised over the man’s throat. “Who are you?” 

The imposter turns his head, ignoring him. 

Sesshomaru raises his free hand. Green fumes ooze from his fingertips as he releases poisonous gas. “I suggest you speak, otherwise, I will strip your glamour away to reveal your identity. That is…if you survive long enough for me to find out.” 

The fake Inuyasha glares at him. There is a tense moment where neither moves, then the illusion falls away to reveal a scarred face. Kagome has never seen the man before, yet she knows who he is. 

“Onigumo.” Kikyo’s expression is passive but Kagome hears the disappointment in her tone. “What did you hope to gain through your deceit?”

“The jewel,” he hisses. 

“You will never possess it.”

He chuckles. “Perhaps, not today, no, but in the future, I will acquire it. Then I will have all the power I could ever need.” 

“If power is what you seek, then I shall give you the ultimate power: freedom from this world.” Onigumo’s laughter dies as Sesshomaru drives his clawed fist through the hanyou’s chest. His eyes go wide for a split second, then he slumps forward. Sesshomaru retracts his hand, leaving the body to collapse in the dirt. 

Kikyo bows her head. “Thank you.”

“Your affairs are not my concern, miko. My purpose is to ensure the survival of my kind.” 

“What he means is that we want to ensure a future where everyone can coexist peacefully,” Kagome says. “And I think that starts with you.” 

Kikyo stares at her. “Me?”

“You came here to meet Inuyasha, right?” Kagome asks. Kikyo nods. “Your relationship may not be accepted by everyone but it will be accepted.”

“If I acknowledge his feelings, I will no longer be able to serve this village as their priestess.”

Kagome reaches over to squeeze her hand reassuringly. “No, but your sister can. She admires you. I’m sure under your training, she’ll make a wonderful miko.” 

Kikyo graces her with a smile. “Indeed.” 

A shout comes from the forest. “Kikyo? Hey, Kikyo, where are you?”

Kagome grins. “I think you’re late for your date.” 

Kikyo starts for the treeline, then pauses to gaze back at her and Sesshomaru. “I’m uncertain how you came to be here, and though I am grateful for your assistance, you must go back home. The longer you linger here the less chance you have of returning home. There is no telling what the ramifications may be for us or you.” 

A hand falls on Kagome’s shoulder. “I will ensure she returns safely,” Sesshomaru vows. 

“I wish there was a way for me to express my thanks for what you have done,” Kikyo says. 

Instinctively, Kagome responds. “There is. Destroy the jewel.” 

Kikyo’s eyes go wide. “What?”

“It’s the cause of all this. You need to wish it out of existence,” Kagome instructs her ancestor. “That’s the only way to truly protect everyone. And I mean everyone.” 

“Very well. Consider it done.” Kikyo bows one final time in thanks and strolls off in the direction of Inuyasha’s shouting. 

Once she has disappeared through the trees, Kagome crosses her arms over her chest with a huff. “I knew I didn’t like that guy.”

“Onigumo?”

“Yeah, Kikyo’s sister mentioned him in the scrolls. When I read about him, I got this weird vibe.”

“Your instincts continue to impress me,” Sesshomaru praises. “He was a hanyou created from multiple demons.”

Kagome gasps. “How is that even possible?”

“If one holds enough malice in their heart, the dark energy will call upon equally dark entities. He drew lesser demons into himself, thus transforming himself from human to hanyou,” Sesshomaru explains.

The way he describes the process sounds painful. Kagome wonders if that’s why Kikyo’s sister found scorched earth under his bed mat.

Sesshomaru continues. “Based on what you shared, I believe he may have leveraged the miko’s death to start a war between humans and demonkind. It would have given him access to artifacts and other sources of power that, under normal circumstances, he would have no opportunity to claim. He sought power through the manipulation and control of others. I have never known a more heinous creature.”

She glances at Onigumo’s unmoving corpse. There is still steam rising from where Sesshomaru’s poison connected with his bare flesh. “He’s dead?”

“Yes.”

Kagome exhales in relief. “Then he can’t hurt anyone else ever again.”

“No,” Sesshomaru confirms. His hand drops from her shoulder to her lower back. “Come. I will not gamble with your life. We must do as the miko suggested and return you home.”

Their walk to the well is completed in companionable silence. Kagome has dozens of questions regarding Sesshomaru, their connection, and why they began switching but she finds that she’s unable to voice a single one of them. Something about this time together— no longer burdened by the threat of losing him —feels precious. She won’t interrupt it. They have time to find the answers. And maybe the next time they meet, they’ll be able to enjoy a coffee together as originally planned.

They come to a halt in front of the well. Sesshomaru stands rigid several paces from the opening. Kagome strolls up to the edge.

“Guess this is it,” she says, feeling slightly awkward.

He nods.

“Thanks for all your help.”

Another nod.

“Okay, then.” Kagome swings one leg over the side, followed by the other until she is perched on the top. She takes a deep breath to prepare for the drop.

His voice causes her to pause. “Kagome.”

She turns to look at him over her shoulder. “Yeah?”

He purses his lips, indecision clouding his features. Then, Sesshomaru closes the distance between them, wrapping his arms around her torso. Kagome can feel the press of his armor against her back. It’s uncomfortable but she’s too stunned to say so.

“I will see you soon,” he says. The words tease the hair by her ear and she shivers despite the warmth of the afternoon sun.

Sesshomaru releases Kagome as quickly as he embraces her. The sudden shift causes her to rock off balance and she pitches forward into the well. 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Kagome wakes in darkness. She stretches her arm out, feeling around for her alarm clock. Her fingers brush along a wooden plank. She squints, trying to decipher her surroundings. 

“Hello?” 

“Did you hear that?” There is a slam from somewhere above and suddenly light pours in. Kagome blinks as her eyes adjust. Her vision focuses on three familiar faces peering down at her. 

Mama gasps. “Kagome! Oh, gods! We were so worried.”

“Where have you been?” Gramps demands. 

“What happened, Sis? How’d you end up down there?” Souta asks. 

“I….don’t know,” Kagome answers. The last thing she remembers is practicing with Gramps for the ceremony. Kagome doesn’t recall entering the well house or how she ended up at the bottom of the well. 

Mama drives her to the hospital, where Kagome is examined to determine if she has sustained any injuries. They ask her several questions regarding her daily routine and current events. She answers each one honestly. Though there is no evidence that she suffered a concussion, the doctors determine that she is experiencing short-term memory loss. Kagome is discharged the following day with instructions to rest at home. She’s grateful when Gramps announces that he’s found someone else for the Nagoshi-no-Harae. 

When her friends come to visit, they bring her coffee from Tessie’s Cafe. Kagome takes one look at the beverage and bursts into tears. She can’t explain her reaction. 

Or why it feels like her heart is breaking. 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

7 years later…

Kagome stands underneath the overhang of her office building. Rain falls steadily down in front of her, transforming the sidewalk into a cluster of shiny domes. The majority are translucent to allow pedestrians to see each other but there are a few brightly colored umbrellas sprinkled throughout the procession. She takes a moment to watch the endless flow of people rushing to and from before joining the fray.

It’s been a few years since Kagome graduated from university. She accepted a position at Sumitomo Mitsubishi Financial Group right out of school. Being an office worker isn’t exciting but it pays the bills.

With the shrine’s constant need for repairs, this is Kagome’s best opportunity to support her family. She makes enough to help them while still managing to afford a place of her own. It gives Kagome the space to feel independent while still allowing her to be close enough to visit regularly.

After her accident, Kagome confessed that she didn’t want a future at the shrine. It took a while, but, eventually, Gramps came around. Sometimes Kagome wonders if it’s because he blames himself for pushing her so hard. Mama has tried to convince her otherwise but Kagome remembers the determination on his face when he sealed the old well up. He hasn’t been the same since they found her at the bottom.

He’s not the only one.

Kagome wakes every day to a hollow pain in her chest, an undeniable longing for someone whose name she doesn’t know. There are times in her dreams where Kagome is sure she sees his face but she never remembers it.

She’s tried dating. Yuka convinced Kagome to join her on a couple of group outings and there was one time when she doubled with Eri and Eri’s boyfriend’s twin brother. None of the situations have ended with more than a polite goodbye.

Kagome fills her free time with volunteering. She spends her weekends at the Hidden Village, an orphanage located near her apartment. The proprietor, a young woman named Shiori, is always grateful for the assistance. Kagome is just grateful for the chance to be useful.

She’s felt lost since the accident. Despite countless therapy sessions, her memories haven’t returned. All that remains is the pain— a constant reminder that she’s suffered a loss. Keeping busy helps, though there isn’t much Kagome can do at night. When she’s curled up alone in her apartment, it’s harder to ignore the pang.

She’s considering renting a movie for tonight when her phone chimes. Kagome digs into her purse. Ayumi’s name flashes across the screen. Kagome opens the message.

Kags, my team leader scored tickets to T.K.P.‘s gallery opening tonight. Do you want to join us?

She frowns. Who’s T.K.P.?

There is a pause before her screen lights up with Ayumi’s response. Girl, have you been living under a rock? T.K.P. the artist. He’s known for working in traditional mediums. His last painting ‘A-Un, the benevolent beast’ sold for almost 2 million yen.

Never heard of him.

Then you’ll enjoy it even more. Yuka and Eri are meeting me there. Join us! It’s been forever since we all hung out. Besides, I heard he’s a hottie.

Who?

T.K.P.

Kagome rolls her eyes. She doubts an artist as renowned as this T.K.P. — clearly an alias —would look twice at her. Uninterested, she types her response. 

Raincheck.

Tucking her phone away, Kagome continues down the street toward the red line station.

She maneuvers through the throng of other commuters and turns the corner at the end of the block. Kagome angles her umbrella to the side, blocking her view of the storefronts of her right. She doesn’t want to see Tessie’s Cafe.

Every time Kagome passes the shop, her heart aches. The first time it had happened, the sensation caught her off guard. She didn’t understand her reaction. She’s never set foot inside the cafe before. There is no reason for her to feel drawn to it.

But she does.

Kagome asked around at work to see if any of her colleagues went there during break time.

“You should come with us,” one of the ladies suggested. “Maybe if you’re lucky you’ll get to see him.”

“Him?” Kagome questioned.

The woman launched into an explanation of the attractive man in wire-framed glasses who frequents the establishment. Kagome tuned out most of the conversation. If the guy has time to sit around a cafe all day, she doubts he has a stable job He probably goes there to take advantage of the cafe’s free Internet.

Shaking her head, Kagome continues past. A coffee sounds nice considering the chill in the air, but she needs to get home. There is laundry to do and dinner to make. 

Just as the station comes into view, Kagome sidesteps a puddle, accidentally colliding with another pedestrian.

“Oh, excuse me,” she apologizes, tilting her umbrella to see who she’s run into.

Kagome meets the piercing gaze of a man. Her heart stutters.

The man’s eyes widen behind his glasses and Kagome swears she hears him whisper, “It’s you.”

For a moment, they stand frozen, staring at each other from under their umbrellas. Kagome can’t hear the sounds of the city traffic or the rolls of thunder signaling another round of rain. Her ears are ringing and her heart is pounding. She feels a bit dizzy. 

She realizes her train is arriving but her feet don’t move. Suddenly, the thought of going home doesn’t seem important. The only thing that matters is the man standing in front of her.

He is familiar yet Kagome can’t place why. She doesn’t know where he works or what his family name is, but she knows him.

The man smirks. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

Kagome starts to ask how they know each other but stops. A memory— like something from a dream —becomes clear in her mind. He wears his long silver hair tied back, showing off the sharp angles of his face. Even without his markings, she recognizes him. No matter where they are in the world (or when) she will always know.

“Sesshomaru.”

It hits her all at once. Memories come flooding back, filling in the gaps from the past seven years. Suddenly, Kagome realizes why it pained her to see the shop every day. This is where she waited for him that day they agreed to meet. 

He inclines his head toward the cafe. “Would you like to go inside? I have it on good authority that their coffee is exceptional.” 

Her eyes water. “You remembered.”

“I apologize for being late.”

“I guess you had a good reason, huh?” She tries to laugh but it doesn’t stop a tear from slipping free. 

“I’m here now,” Sesshomaru responds, wiping it away with the pad of his thumb, “and I intend to spend the rest of my days making it up to you.” 

Kagome smiles. “Promise?”

He nods.

Hand in hand, the two enter the cafe for their long-awaited date. 

The first of many. 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Author's Note: I do not own Kimi no Na Wa (Your Name) or any of the Inuyasha characters.