Forward: I will make my disclaimer now, and only now. It will be in effect for the remainder of the entire story. I do not own any of the characters, worlds, anything that pertains to their owners, Takahashi Rumiko and Kishimoto Masashi, respectively. The pairing is decided as of yet. I would appreciate feedback on who you might want Kagome to be with. There is a poll on my site for your convenience. Everyone is in their canon age besides Kagome. She will be 12 for the sake of making my life easier. Also... I find myself in need of a good beta. One that: has common sense, good ideas, good grammar, knows story flow, has humor, can spot plot holes, can remind me to update, can see if characters are in character or not, and most of all- has time. Hope you enjoy the first chapter of many (?) to come.

Hello, Goodbye

Chapter 1

I had a slight problem.

At least, that's what they always say in the face of a larger one.

Currently I was looking up into what view of the night sky I could get from the small opening of the well, that was even more so obscured by a decaying wooden roof above it. From what I could see, it looked like it was about to collapse at any moment with the slightest of provocation. When did that get there?

"InuYasha?" I cried out tentatively. "Miroku? Sango? Shippo?" The only reply I received were the echoes of my friends' names. I decided to try a more unlikely approach. "...Sesshōmaru?" Of course, no answer came.

I felt around the walls surrounding me, but only felt ancient vines literally crumble to dust under my touch. Well... there goes that option, I wryly thought to myself. The well wasn't the most neatly constructed, so the rocks were uneven and allowed spaces for me to grip. I eyed up the wall carefully, and planned out my path. Slowly, yet steadily, I made my way up the decrepit well, panting by the time I reached the lip. I hauled my giant backpack over the edge and threw myself over immediately after, collapsing against the side of the well to take a short breather.

While resting, I took the time to observe my surroundings. Remains of what looked to be an old shed surrounded the well. In all actuality, it looked to be completely scorched, but it was hard to make out the exact details in the darkness of the night. A vague looking forest enclosed the shed on all sides. Outlines of branches were seen through the pale light of the moon. Looking closer, I could make out an outline of what looked to be a nice-sized house.

I sighed, still leaning heavily against the stone of the well. I knew I could go back, but the mere thought of all that climbing if it didn't work for whatever reason chased away the option. Lighting a fire was not an option as well. If there was one thing I learned from my travels in the Feudal Era, it was to not attract any unwanted attention. Especially in a completely unfamiliar place like this. Things are not looking out for me, I thought with a grimace.

Despite all that, I attempted to keep a positive outlook on the situation at hand. At least I have a sleeping bag! I turned to my bag and was in the process of unzipping the mighty thing when I heard low voices creeping up on my position. Immediately I froze and started breathing in long and quietly through my nose.

"... never been in this area before. Sensei, are you sure we're not lost?"

I jumped at the loud voice that followed.

"Yeah! We've been walking for hours and hours and we still haven't found this 'super secret' training area you were talking about!"

"Shut up, dobe. You're too loud."

A long sigh followed as the loud voice and the annoyed one went at it.

"You can't tell me what to do, teme! Last I checked, you were still a genin like me!"

A new voice jumped in at this point, the owner of the sigh I presumed. I credited him for having this much patience so far.

"Naruto, stop yelling. We're almost there. Sasuke, don't provoke him."

Murmurs of assent followed and silence filled the area once again. I couldn't see any figures from my point of view, but I knew they were still hanging around my position. My hands were starting to shake a little from keeping them in place for so long and I mentally cursed, trying to stay them. Unfortunately, a little rattle from the zipper pull got out before I could stop them. Fear flooded through my veins as I quickly sucked in a breath and desperately hoped the mysterious group hadn't heard. Apparently Lady Luck was on my side as a tense, pregnant silence ensued.

Eventually I heard silent steps fade out of the clearing and I let my bated breath out in a whoosh as I wiped my forehead of sweat that had gathered there in nervousness. "Kami... that was a close one." I whispered to myself, relieved.

"Was it really?"

I would've whipped around, but a firm grip around my shoulders held me in place. A touch of cold pressed lightly on my neck, and I knew I was had. The stillness of the small knife easily showed the amount of control and expertise of the man that caught me.

"P-please don't kill me! I don't even know w-where I am!" I squeaked out in a rush. I briefly cursed myself mentally for how weak I sounded. But that thought flew away in my panic and fear as I anxiously awaited my fate. A cold, steely voice answered my plea.

"Who are you? What's a civilian like you doing in a place like this?" He allowed only a brief moment for me to reply.

"I... my name is Higurashi Kagome. Like I said before, I have no idea where I am. I-I don't even know what era I'm in!" I sobbed out in the end.

The man sighed heavily before letting his knife drop from my neck, leaving me still gripped in his other arm.

"Are you going to let go of me?"

I blinked my teary eyes, loosening the bone-crushing hold I didn't even know I had on his arm. He shook it out, trying to get some feeling back into the numb appendage.

"Alright... let's get you to the village and the Hokage." He said, grabbing my wrist and pulling me up. "Sasuke, grab her bag." A grunt followed and the bag barely budged an inch. "... On second thought, Naruto, why don't you help carry it." He sweat dropped.

"Holy crap! This thing weighs a ton! How do you even carry this thing, lady?!" 'Naruto' exclaimed as he shakily helped lift it.

"Eh..." I scratched the back of my head with my free hand in embarrassment, "I'm used to it?"

Silence followed and I assumed it was from shock. "Gawd, you must have monstrous strength!"

"Alright, let's get going." My captor sighed out.

I was led off by him, and I glanced behind me to see two faint figures my size struggle to keep up with the huge outline that was my backpack on their backs. A third, slightly smaller figure trailed beside them.

"Naruto! Stop giving Sasuke-kun all the weight!" A feminine voice growled from the other person's direction.

"I'm not!" Naruto insisted.

"Liar!" A punch and a loud cry soon followed.

"Sakura... don't hit Naruto. He's working just as hard as Sasuke." The older man chided.

"Yes, Kakashi-sensei..." she grumbled.

This... was going to be a long trip.