The Future Through The Past

Chapter Four


Takara pulled out her compass again to make sure she was going the right way once more. She was worse than a man when it came to directions. A sigh escaped her, she was still heading west. The man could have given her some idea of what she was looking for before sending her on her way. But she'd seen the fear in his eyes at the name of Naraku. So this Naraku guy was still alive. With any luck she wouldn't run into him or anyone else for that matter. Why couldn't her father been waiting at the well for her wearing a name tag?

Her hand came up and removed a piece of hair sticking to her face. It really was humid for some reason. It had to be after noon already, she'd been walking for several hours. She'd found a dirt road that seemed to head mostly westward so she stayed on that. With any luck she'd come across another village or something. Maybe she should have thrown a motorcycle down the well or a scooter.

She pulled the bottle from the side pocket, taking a sip of the water. It slid down her parched throat, helping her some. She'd feel better having some clue as to where she was going. West! That really didn't help much. A loud scream tore through the silence causing birds to take off overhead.

Takara looked around, it was coming from the woods. Where was the PoPo when you needed them? Maybe she should go take a look. If it was dangerous, she'd just haul ass. Yep that sounded like a good plan. She took off running towards the direction of the noise, not thinking about what she'd do once she was there.

After several minutes she came to a small clearing. What she saw stunned her. A strange looking girl was surrounded by several men. They were making crude comments as they circled her. The girl was very pretty; she had long auburn hair pulled in a high ponytail. She was probably two inches taller than Takara topping off around five-seven. Her green eyes sparkled as she glared at the men taunting her.

Takara hid behind a tree for several seconds to take the situation in. The girl had a tail the same color as her hair, claws, pointy ears and two fangs in her mouth. Which meant she couldn't be human, probably one of these youkai. The five men looked to be human, all armed.

"I say we fuck the bitch before we kill her." One sneered.

"Yeah, I hear wolf youkai like it on their hands and knees."

"What do you say girl, want a quick fuck before you die?"

"Take another step and you will be the ones to die." She spoke.

"Tough one aren't we? You know you can't take all five of us at once." He took a step forward towards the girl. "So what are you going to do?"

"Even the odds." Takara stepped from behind the tree, making her presence known.

They all stared at her for several moments, taking her in. One of the men took a few steps towards her. A foul scent caught Takara's nose causing her to make a face. Did the people here not bathe? She eyed the man coming towards her and thought about digging through her bag and tossing him a bar of dove. His shoulder length hair was greasy, he had dirt spots over his clothes, sweat spots under his pits. 'Someone forgot to put on their odie!' He smiled showing only a few teeth, in his foul mouth. He got within touching distance and she pulled out her katana.

He took a step back from her. "Seems she just volunteered to die first." He brought his sword down trying to knock her's from her hands.

Takara suddenly realized fighting for real was a little different that practicing in a dojo. Metal clanged together as she brought hers up to meet his. Not only was he stinky, he was no match. She quickly took the offensive as he tried to keep from losing his own weapon.

She heard the other men start shouting as three of them charged the other girl. One more came her way to help his friend. The swords met halfway, he was trying to force her back. She brought her foot up to kick him in the jaw. He went down on his back and she spun in time to keep the other sword from taking off her arm.

The other girl wasn't using any weapons, she was using her claws. Takara saw her slash one of the men across the face, tearing his flesh. She seemed to be a pretty decent fighter as well.

The man saw her distraction and sucker punched her in the face. Her head snapped back from the blow. Now she was pissed. She brought her sword down hard knocking his out his hand. He stared as she sheathed her's once more. She decked him in his right eye, his head snapped back. When it came forward again, she landed another punch to his left. He turned on his heels and ran, leaving the other man groaning on the ground.

Takara turned in time to see the other female kicking the last man in the ribs while he was kneeling on the ground. She delivered each kick in time with each word. "What. Part. Of. No. Didn't. You. Under. Stand?" The man started crying begging her to stop. A kick to the face and he was silent.

The girl smirked and glanced up at Takara. "Thanks." She turned her back about to walk away.

"Wait. Mind if I ask you something?"

"Huh?" She turned back around.

"I'm looking for someone. It's important that I find him. I was told to go west, I have no idea where to find him." Takara saw her brow lift. "He's a hanyou, by the name of Inuyasha."

"Inuyasha? Mind if I ask why?" Green eyes penetrated her.

"It's a personal matter actually."

"I see, well as it so happens I'm heading that way. I warn you if you are going there to cause trouble you will die quickly." She threw the warning out.

"I just need to talk to him. If you are headed that way, mind if I tag along? I'll try not to be a bother." Takara prayed she'd comply. Hopefully the girl was being honest to boot.

"Fine. I'm heading for the castle myself. I'm actually looking for my father." The girl smiled showing her two fangs. "My name is Kora, what's yours?"

"Takara, nice to meet you." The girl took off in a run and she had no choice but to run and keep up.

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