InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Conflicts, Conceit & Compassion ❯ Same Place, Different Time ( Chapter 4 )

Chapter 1:
Same Place, Different Time.

"What are we to make of this I wonder?" said Miroku as he seized another fish from the river. Inuyasha, Kagome, Sango and Miroku were all by the river the morning after the strange girl fell from the sky. Since she had remained unconscious after her fit, they decided to leave her in the hut with an evil suppression spell to keep her at bay while they discussed the nature of their situation.

"Well she's certainly not from this time . . . Kagome is familiar with her style of clothing." stated Sango.

"That's for sure . . . but what about the demon blood she was covered in." Kagome added. "She obviously had some type of encounter."

"Yeah well, truth is we can't trust her . . . we don't know who she is, where or when she comes from or who's side she's on . . . for all we know, she could be a spy. It's just too much of a coincidence if ya ask me." said Inuyasha as he threw another fish towards Sango and Kagome's scaling area.

"It is possible that she could be the warrior ya' know. I mean, she must've really ripped up the thing."

"That's the coincidence . . ." Inuyasha replied as he stood up to look at his mate, "it was too easy . . . I don't trust it."

"Well Inuyasha . . ." said Miroku as he stood up struggling with the last fish, "it's as you said, we can only trust each other so let's do just that. We'll find out more about her when she gets up."

Everyone was satisfied with this temporary conclusion but the conversation was not quite finished. "Where did Sesshomaru go off to?" Kagome started again.

"Who knows?"

"Come on Inuyasha, you know your brother is probably somewhere trying to get rid of 'the stench'." smiled Sango at this comment even though the fish scales flew all over her face, in some parts of her hair and threateningly close to her mouth.

"Yeah! Did you see how he walked afterwards . . . it was like he was covered in some invisible disgusting goo!" Each person enjoyed the laughter from Kagome's comment and Miroku's solemn attitude flew south as he mimicked Shesshomaru's movements after the encounter.

Nearby:

Sesshomaru emerged from the waters of a nearby hot spring totally dissatisfied with the hours of soaking and washing he had accomplished. "Wretched humans." He grumbled as he felt the scar across his chest left by his beloved father.

"Get up and stop whining . . . it's not becoming." Sesshomaru listened as Inutaishou's voice rang clearly in his head. His only response however, was to submerge deeper into the heated waters. "That's enough Sesshomaru! Rejoin the group!"

"What sense does it make? I'll only be listening to their meaningless talk." No sooner had those words been said, the scar on Sesshomaru's chest began to throb with warning by his father's power. Annoyed, the prince released a low growl as he narrowly opened his glaring eyes.

"Consider this scar assurance . . . should, at any time, you fail to comply with this mission or my commands, this scar will carry out your . . . punishment. Understood?"

Grudgingly, Sesshomaru lifted himself out of the pool and began to make his appearance a bit presentable for an undeserving audience.

Back at the hut:

The darkness was fading now but Anya still felt as if her body was being weighed down. Moaning, she proceeded in opening her eyes only to find two beautiful golden brown orbs extremely close to her hazel ones. Naturally, she pressed her head further into the pillow, raised one eyebrow and spoke, "Hello?"

"EEEE!"

"OOF!"

"Mokari!"

"WHEE Z!"

" Mokari!"

"GASP!"

" She's up!"

"OOF!"

"She's up!"

"AAHH!"

" Hiiee!"

"OOF!" the excited little girl paid no heed as she jumped about on Anya's stomach. "Yesss . . ." she gasped, "I'm up . . . and I need to breathe."

"Ohh! Sorry." Divali blushed and slowly moved off of the lying girl.

"It's okay . . . you were just a little excited." A.J. said as she sat up removing little rectangular papers from various parts of her body. Hmm . . . Looks like the kid used me as a coloring table. she thought. "OOF!" once again the wind was knocked out of the her as another miniature cannon ball struck her in the stomach.

"HELLO!"

"Hello . . ." Anya strained with the escaping air as she crouched over

"I'm Mokari and this is Divali, what's you're name?"

"My name's. . ."

"Where did you come from, are you going to stay here?"

"Well I . . ."

"Ya' know, if you stay here you can sleep in Divali's room . . . this isn't my home."

"Tha. . ."

"We'll have soo much fun together; first we can . . .

:: WACK ::

"Owww . . . Divali! Whatchya do that for?"

"Mokari! She hasn't even answered your first question yet an' you just keep goin'."

"Well you didn't have to hit me ya' know."

"Yeah?! I've seen you around pretty girls and that's the only way to reach you . . . ever!" the child scolded as she stuck out her tongue.

A.J. looked on in amusement as the children bickered but she was completely amazed when the young boy stood up and to give her a better look at him. Miroku? It can't be.

"Hey . . . are you okay?" asked the lad.

"I um . . . I think so . . . where exactly am I?"

"You're in Japan! DUH!" sang the two children in unison before falling in laughter fit.

*Well they dress modern . . . and they certainly speak modern enough . . . maybe this is just a coincidence, and maybe this girl's parents just like pastel colors . . . but still . . . dying the child's hair sky blue with white and silver highlights is pretty out there . . . lucky for her, it came out well.*

"You sure you okay?"

"Huh? Oh! Yes lovely!" A.J. answered looking at the young girl, "I was just thinking that's all." The smiles returned to the children faces when they heard this and they made themselves comfortable on each side of her. "Divali you have beautiful hair."

"Thanks . . . you really think so!"

"Of course I do." She replied as she folded both of her legs on the bed. "Why else would I say it?"

"I dunno. Mostly I get teased for my hair."

"Really? They're just jealous."

"Ya know . . . you never answered any of my questions."

"Oh yeah . . . that's right isn't it Mokari . . . well then, maybe I should answer them now while I have the chance." The boy blushed and Divali giggled at Anya's teasing. "My name is A.J., I am from the Caribbean, and I don't plan to stay here . . . but then again, I didn't plan to come here in the first place and thank you for your hospitality, I just hope the rightful owner doesn't mind." This earned another blush and giggle between the children as A.J. nudged playfully at Mokari's side.

"I don't mind, but you could never get an offer in with Mokari around."

"So I've noticed." They were both grinning as the poor boy turned a radish red. "Okay okay! That's enough picking on the poor guy."

"Thanks a lot." moaned the child who fought to subdue his blushing while the girls made the same attempt with their laughter. "So, how're ya' feeling?"

"Huh?"

"Don't you remember . . . you fell from the sky and was covered in blood."

"Yeah, that's right! And when you fell, your body started shaking and then you slept until just now."

Like water escaping from a broken dam, the recollections of Kumara and her sons rushed into Anya's memories once more and, for the first time, she noticed that most of the blood had been cleaned from her skin though her ruined clothes were not removed. "Oh . . . right . . . I'm fine, thank you . . . I fell from . . . the sky, you say?"

"Uh-huh! My uncle caught you!"

"No he didn't! You landed on him!"

"I did?" she replied looking more and more confused.

"Yep! You landed on him and he threw you off!"

"He did?! . . . Why?" Anya asked the now hysterical boy.

"He thinks . . . he thinks . . . you smell terrible."

"Say what!"

"Shut-up Mokari!" snapped Divali who was obviously annoyed. "Please don't be insulted, he just doesn't like the scent of any human."

A.J.'s eyes snapped to attention with another realization and a memory. Before, Anya simply thought that she was presently in a mountain cabin and ignored the primitive look of the home. "We're in Japan you say?" both children nodded their heads in a manner as if they stated the obvious. "Okay then . . . I'm a bit slow today, must've been the fall . . . can any one of you tell me the exact year?"

"Which one would you like to now?" beamed Divali.

"What? What do you mean which one?"

"My family lives in two different years ya' know!" said the girl proudly.

"Is that so . . ." she said before turning to the boy whose laughter was now completely under control, "You know Mokari . . . you look a whole lot like someone I know of . . . I just may be familiar with both of your parents, can any of you tell me where they are?"

"We're right here. Divali, Mokari, come."

Anya slowly leaned against the wooden wall and folded her hands underneath her chest astonished by the display before her although she showed no sign of it. "Well I'll be damned."

"Feh!" was all the hanyou said before leaping in the front of the annoyingly calm girl. "You said you may be familiar with us, problem is, I'm not familiar with you . . . so tell me now or I start staining my claws . . . who sent you?"

"It's no secret that your claws are already stained Inuyasha." The hanyou's expression quickly changed from menacing to shock and finally, annoyed. Anya, who enjoyed playfully torturing him, simply looked over to where the others stood and said, "I'm guessing that Divali's your daughter . . . and Kagome's the mother I hope."

"What? What did you say?"

"Of course it's obvious that Mokari is Miroku's boy . . . just look at how Sango clings to him."

"How do you know this?"

"I have one question though . . . why aren't you and Sesshomaru fighting . . . this is a rare sight indeed."

"WHO THE HEC ARE YOU?!" Inuyasha shouted as his patience finally wore out.

"If you would stop screaming and call everybody over here I'll tell you." She said calmly while massaging her ears hoping to get the ringing out caused by the hanyou's loud voice.

Sesshomaru was disgusted with the way the half-wit allowed the human wench to play with his emotions. He was also curious about the girl's vast knowledge, but he did not allow himself to be . . . taken aback. The prince was still wet from his 'sanitation processes' which meant his under kimono stuck slightly to his fit physic while his other upper garment was thrown casually over his shoulder in an attempt to keep it dry. His hair was also wet and although it was not drenched, it still hugged his back. The hair in his face was stringy, wavy and fell sensuously over his eyes allowing little trickles of water to glide down his stoic expression, each one catching their own gleam of sunlight which reflected in his golden irises. Sesshomaru cared little for his exterior with such a contemptible crowd knowing that his regal aura had not in any way, been diminished. Waiting for no one, and with a little shrug, Sesshomaru walked through the small group with no concern about those in the way. Whoever was in his path were to either move or be shoved off, whichever method was fine. The others had unconsciously followed his lead and was also making their way toward the stranger. When in front of the girl, Sesshomaru stood next to a squatted Inuyasha and tossed his armor directly before her. "Who are you?" he coolly said.

"Was that meant to frighten me?"

"I asked you a question."

"I'm fully aware of that . . ." she calmly replied although inside she was bubbling over Sesshomaru's wet look. ". . . but ladies have first privileges."

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes on the bold, disrespectful woman and fought every urge to rip her throat out since it was against his 'scar's' whishes. "Listen wench , I may not slay you now . . . but there are ways to . . . encourage . . . your cooperation." His voice was low, threatening and extremely sexy . . . Anya was thrilled.

"I'm sure." she said coolly before turning her attention to the other women. "Both of your children are lively and beautiful, I know you two must be really proud of them."

"Yes . . . we are." Kagome was the one to speak up since everyone else was either dumbfounded or extremely annoyed. "I'm sorry . . . but I don't remember you."

"It's all right Kagome, you don't know me, but I do know of you and almost everyone here." Said A.J. with a sweetness she withheld from the brothers because of their harsh approach.

"I don't understand. Where do you know me from . . . and who are you?"

"It's a bit complicated . . . I'm not sure myself how it is possible, so all of you should really get comfortable while I explain what I do know."

"Are you going to tell a story A.J.?" asked a smiling Mokari.

"No, not right now . . . but I promised to tell one later." She said with a sweet smile that revealed a dimple on each side of her cheeks.

"Promise . . ." A.J. nodded and crossed her heart. "Alright then!" said the boy in excitement and although Divali spoke no words, she was just as excited as her playmate.

"Then it's settled, you kids will have a story later on today, but right now, the grown ups have important things to talk about." said Miroku in his authoritative and somewhat gentle voice.

"Yes father." The boy replied with a hint of disappointment. "We understand."

"That's my boy . . . now go play outside and be good." As if on queue, Divali gave Mokari a playful but painful slap on the back and raced for the door with young Mokari not too far behind.

With that task completed, all but the brothers proceeded to make themselves comfortable within hearing distance of the outsider. One instead chose to lean against a nearby window to inhale the forest's scent, while the other just stood with clenched fists over his mate. "Whenever you're ready." said Kagome calmly.

"I'm guessing you figured out that I'm not from around here. Back home, everyone calls me A.J. and home is the year 2003 . . . what this year is eludes me. The only thing I think I know is that this is some time in Japan's warring ages because I'm seeing all of you guys." Anya paused there and got up from the bed.

"All of this is good and all, but how do you know us?" Sango finally spoke up.

"I'm getting to that right now . . ." she said passing through them, seemingly looking for something. "Did my backpack come here as well?"

"Yes . . . your bike also." replied Kagome.

"My bike!" she said in shock before she changed to a slump-like tone. "Is my ride totaled Kagome?"

"No. Actually, it's in tip top shape."

"Really?"

"Uh-huh, everything's right in the next room."

Walking closer to a door, Anya slid the panel open and retrieved her knapsack. "Thanks for bringing this along, I have a lot of things in here." She said as she rummaged around in its contents. "Ahh, here it is. . . ." she said as she pulled out her latest manga, "and there you are . . . all of you." A.J. pointed as she passed the comic around. "This gives me reason to believe that I'm not only from a different time, but a different dimension as well."

"What makes you think that?" asked Miroku who had not yet seen the book.

"Well I just can't see how an anime and manga made in Japan, named Inuyasha, and containing all of you guys, escape Kagome or Sota's attention."

"Yes, that is a point."

"I know . . . and if the episodes follow your life as it is, then I know about the Jewel of Four Souls and everything up to Inuyasha's bathtub scene with Sota and Kagome's garbage tin." The hanyou blushed at this and dared not look down to his giggling mate. "You guys had not defeated Naraku yet, Miroku was still a hentai, Sango was still filled with sorrow, Jaken was never far from Sesshomaru . . . and Sesshomaru was never too far from Rin." The last part was said with suspicion and curiosity as she looked over to the window where the prince stood. "By the way . . . Shippo was never, ever, too far from Kagome. So where is he?"

All was speechless, justifiably so for such overwhelming circumstances. Determined not to make his shock known, Sesshomaru spoke the next words, "How did you come to be here?"

"That part is even stranger . . . I believe it all started night before last. I had an unusual dream that woke me up with the urge to visit this shrine, so I did. When I got there everything seemed normal . . . that is, until I tried to leave . . . that's when I was attacked by a family of demons. The head of the family had given me a sword to defend myself with as a result of some curse - lucky me. She said they had to give each of their prey this sword or there would be some type of consequence. Anyway, I finished off the mother and her sons . . . but when I killed the mom, something sucked me into darkness, and then I woke up here."

"And this happened without a spell?" asked Miroku when the shock had diminished.

"Actually, now that I think about it, when I ran up towards her while she was laying there, I do remember her mouth moving very quickly, but I wasn't close enough to hear and brushed it off.

"That doesn't sound right."

"What doesn't sound right Inuyasha?"

"You're in the middle of battle, your opponent's conscious . . . and she's resting? I don't think so."

"Resting . . . that's funny . . . actually, I had cut off her legs earlier, she still had her arms and claws so maybe she was resting, go figure."

"Are you a swordsman?" Miroku asked.

"I'm not a man Miroku?" she said annoyingly

"Well . . . um . . . what I meant was . . ."

"It's okay Miroku I know what you meant . . . I was just giving you a hard time." laughed Anya at her own little joke which also drew a few smiles around the room. "Truth is I have never fought with a sword before yesterday."

"Well then, how did you use it to defend yourself?"

"It's a skill that I was born with."

"So you were born with the ability to use weapons?"

"No Inuyasha. From I was very little, all I had to do was listen to or watch some type of demonstration let's say, at least three times, and I'll know it in a matter of hours or days like I've done it for years."

"But you said you never picked up a sword before."

"That's right."

"So don't you need a least a few hours before you can master it?"

"Yeah, but it doesn't always work that way."

"What do you mean?"

"I was in a critical situation . . . whenever I'm in a condition that calls for immediate action my fighting skills go beyond what I should know. In other words, I handle shock well and work best under pressure. I can also learn without previous observation, all I do is experiment with something to find the most flexible and effective method of use and I keep at it."

"Where are you from? I get this feeling that you're not from Japan." Kagome asked.

"No I was an exchange student at the University. First I attended school at home in the Bahamas, then I went to school in Cuba, then Alabama, then Canada and then here . . . or, here millenniums from now."

"Wow . . . what were you studying?"

"Languages! I wanted to be fluent in many different languages."

"What all do you know so far?"

"I have degrees in Spanish, French, Italian, Greek, Creole and Chinese. I obviously know Japanese, and my native tongue is English. I was supposed to continue with some others, but . . . well . . . this happened. Now I don't know if I can get back home."

"If there's a way we'll find it."

"Whoa Kagome! How are we supposed to do that when we have . . . other things . . . on our agenda?"

"Inuyasha! We can't just ignore her situation!"

"What do ya' mean WE can't ignore it, it has nothing to do with us . . . I think she made it up anyway."

"If she made it up how do you explain her knowledge of the future and possession of this comic genius?"

"Spells! Time travel! You have demons in the future to ya know! She could've been sent here to sabotage us!"

"Inuyasha does have a point Kagome."

"MIROKU!!"

"Well he does."

Anya just sat there looking from one person to the next, They think I'm some type of spy . . . I mean I can't be surprised, this is the warring ages and my situation is funny . . . and it would appear as if I came during some new quest. This is a total bummer. They were still arguing and Kagome was loosing. Sango looked as if she was not sure what side to choose, Inuyasha and Miroku seemed more determined than ever while Sesshomaru stood there utterly annoyed and disgusted. "Excuse me." she said in vain. "WOULD YOU ALL HOLD UP A MINUTE!" she said with a little more volume, but the arguing still persisted. "SHUT THE HELL UP!" This did the job as their bickering came to an abrupt halt.

"WHAT THE HELL'S YOUR PROBLEM?" Inuyasha snapped back.

"Shut-up and listen puppy-dog!"

"WHAT!"

"Let her talk Inuyasha!" said Kagome as she gave his kimono a slight tug.

"Look, I'm not going to pretend that I haven't picked up some indication that you all are on some new quest but I'm not a spy . . . if I was, would I want to go home? Why not just stay here and keep tabs on what you're doing?"

"You could lead us to your territory . . . AND THEN SHOW YOUR TRUE COLORS BITCH!"

"ASSHOLE! YOU SERIOUSLY EXPECT ME TO TAKE YOU, YOUR GROUP AND SESSHOMARU?!"

"WHO KNOWS WHAT YOU'RE CAPABLE OF WENCH?"

"YOU STINKIN HANYOU! MAYBE FOR YOU WHO KNOW WHAT I'M CAPABLE OF BUT FOR SESSHOMARU I'LL BE DELAYING THE INEVITABLE!" All but the brothers gasped at A.J.'s comment. One brother was as pleased as much as the other was pissed.

"And what is THAT supposed to mean BITCH?"

"You really should know that I do not appreciate being called bitch or wench."

"You should really learn to love what you are . . . now answer my question Bitch!"

Anya's exterior was calm, but her face was cold and unchanging. "Last time I checked, you fighting style was direct and impulsive, I'll out wit you dumb-ass."

"DUMB-ASS! COME'ERE AN BACK YOU'RE MOUTH BITCH!"

In the comics and on the amine, behavior like this from the hanyou would amuse her, but now that the somewhat unnecessary and arrogant hostility was a reality that was directed at her, she became quite annoyed. With a grunt that loosely reflected her mood, Anya gathered her stuff and headed for the door. "I am so outta here . . . Kagome, I appreciate you're hospitality and I am truly sorry for the trouble I caused."

"OH NO YA DON'T BITCH!" screamed Inuyasha as he intercepted her path.

"Outta my way brat." A.J.'s voice was also cold and calm now. She was disappointed in the hanyou's behavior and began to shove her way past him.

"I SAID . . . OH NO YOU DON'T!" Inuyasha had pushed A.J. to the ground and sent her sliding into Miroku.

"INUYASHA YOU PUNK . . ." she started. The rest of his gang was astonished by his behavior and just sat there speechless. They usually saw the hanyou act that aggressive towards males, but never to a female, especially one that seemed harmless. Sesshomaru, on the other hand, took the activity as a brief form of entertainment. Anya was now standing straight. Her lips formed a slight frown but the rest of her remained cold. "So, you wanna fight me huh? Come on blockhead." With those words said, Inuyasha charged for her bearing his Tetsuaiga. When the hanyou was nearly upon her, A.J. snatched Miroku's staff and blocked the blade that was descending towards her.

The clang of metals rang throughout the hut and Inuyasha was convinced this was a battle of strength. "Oi bitch . . . with whom are you delaying the inevitable now?"

Anya just narrowed her eyes and brought left leg up as hard as she could into Inuyasha's 'jewels' then, even more forcefully, she swung Miroku's staff like a golf club with the crouched over hanyou's face imitating the ball and sent him falling backwards. "Sorry Kagome!" she shouted referring to the first part of her counter attack.

"FUCKING BITCH!"

"Stand up and say that crutch-less."

Inuyasha was pissed and his gems throbbed in pain. That bitch was going to pay for his discomfort, he was going to make sure of it. "I said you fucking bitch." He growled now on his feet. "NOW DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT AND THIS!"

Inuyasha had started another charge for the girl with his Tetsuaiga ready. Anya braced herself and watched the hanyou carefully as he advanced. Just then, Inuyasha raised his hands over his head so that the sword could come down on her, but his stomach was left vulnerable. "NOW!" she shouted as she swung Miroku's staff once more this time into his abdomen. With the force of the swing and the speed of Inuyasha's attack, A.J. was successful in knocking the wind out of him, but she did not stop there. Upon contact, Inuyasha's hold on the sword weakened and his arm shifted in Anya's path allowing her the opportunity to seize it which she did without a second thought. No sooner was the movement completed, Inuyasha found himself on his back with the Tetsuaiga's kissaki pointing dangerously close in his left eye. For a brief moment, none moved and nothing was said. Finally, A.J. spoke up, "You have the strength and speed . . . but because of your poor patience and distorted cunning, a lot is deducted from your skill . . . any strong being could swing a sword, but only an intelligent and determined being could bring out its full potential." Having said that, Anya took a step back and withdrew the Tetsuaiga which surprisingly hadn't turned to its original form until it hit the wooden floor. "I'm so history." said A.J. as she gathered her stuff a second time this time making it out the door. "Hello Kirala." She said to the fire-cat demon as she moseyed inside from who knows where. The creature looked at her in total confusion before continuing towards Sango. "Don't worry about me Kagome . . . I'll be alright." Were her last words before riding into the wilderness.

"NOW LOOK WHAT YOU DID?" Kagome shouted running towards the door. "WE SHOULDN'T LET HER GO OUT THERE ALONE!"

"The girl is skilled Kagome, and she obviously has some knowledge of this world."

"But Miroku that still does not justify us leaving her out there."

"AHH! Let her go Kagome. She's only trouble."

Shesshomaru, clearly disgusted, walked over to his half brother and kicked him in the mouth. "Silence half-wit!" he said with a growl. "You were just defeated by a mere human woman . . . you don't deserve to speak." Kagome ran to her husband's side and looked to Sesshomaru with dangerous eyes. Tell me woman . . . now what will you do know . . . glares alone cannot destroy your enemy. Now get away from him so that he may preserve some of his dignity. the prince thought as he noticed the glears he was receiving though he cared little.

"I think I agree with Kagome."

"Oh no Sango. My Angel, it is better if that girl stays away, she can look after herself." Miroku said as he placed a comforting arm around his beloved wife. "She'll be okay."

"No Miroku. Inuyasha! What if it had been Divali who was thrown to another time . . . would you want someone to just leave her there because she could manage to protect herself? It's always better if one has help, you all taught me that." the hanyou only looked away.

"Sango . . ."

"NO MIROKU! Aren't you supposed to be a monk? How can you turn away one in need?"

"Angel . . ."

"DAADDDIEEEEE!" Divali's voice raced across the field.

Inuyasha's ears perked up at the sound of his distressed daughter. "Divali!"

"Daddy! Daddy!" she continued as she dived into her father's chest. Mokari was close behind also heading for his father but was too breathless to speak.

"What's wrong Divali?! Speak to me!" Although his princess was alright, Inuyasha was in a panic and ready to pounce upon the enemy.

"I . . . we . . . woods . . . then . . . bad people . . . no! Demons . . . A.J. . . . and . . ."

A.J. . . . if that bitch hurt my daughter I'll . . . Inuyasha growled as he drove Divali close into him so that she would not see his turning eyes which frightened her so much. "Tell me princess . . ." he said in his most calm voice, "did she hurt you?"

The young girl looked up from her father's chest in the strangest manner; she could not comprehend why he thought A.J. would hurt them. "No daddy." She said softly, "she saved us . . . and now she's in trouble."