Not Your Typical Friends
This is a side book telling what Krystal thought and did from when she first met Ash to when they were married.

It was just another regular school day. Boring. There’s not another word to describe it (maybe sleep-depriving?), every day the same thing… never anything exciting. I was only 18 then… My name’s Krystal Ataru. My friends and I were leaving school one day when that all changed. So please turn off all pagers and enjoy the book!
“Oh no I forgot my books at school!” I said, about a block from the school.
“Well you’d better hurry and get them… we’ll wait here.” said my friend Keiko.
I nodded and turned around and ran back towards the school. I turned the corner and I hit in to someone. That someone was Ash Nakata.
“Whoa careful don’t hurt yourself.” he said.
“Ow… Oh I’m so sorry!”
He says I looked up at him and blushed… I really doubt that though…
“Hi my name’s Ash. What’s yours?” he asked.
“It’s Krystal.”
“Would you wanna do something today?”
“Sure! …I mean yeah, ok.”
Ok, so I’ll admit THAT one happened to be said.
“Okay I’ll see you around eight?”
“Ok see ya then.”
I smiled at him and headed back to the others, forgetting my books of course.
“Hey what took you so long?” Keiko asked.
“Nothing.”
“Who were you talking to back there?”
“His name’s Ash. I think I really like him, Keiko.”
“I bet you forgot about your books.” she said, smiling
“Oh crap! I totally forgot!”
I ran back past Ash and smiled as I passed. I went into the school this time, at least. After getting my books, just narrowly, I went back to Keiko and the others. It may not seem like much but that simple conversation changed my life completely. Keiko still teases me about it, calling it a real “Love at first sight”. She’s weird I’ll tell you that… although I think she’s right.

What’s even stranger is that it was the second to last day of school. So that night, as planned, we had our first date. I’m not going to tell you about it now… maybe another time. So, the next day, I went to school for the last time. And… It wasn’t even boring. Was I excited to get to leave and go off with Keiko, Yusuke, and Ash on some weird trip? Or was I just fully rested? I don’t even know myself so why am I asking you?
The last bell rang and Keiko and I went to go get some of our stuff before meeting up with Ash and Yusuke. After I was ready I walked to Keiko’s house to wait until she was done. Done being nearly two hours later… but, hey, got to be prepared for a trip we don’t know much about right? So, finally, we set off from Keiko’s house to meet up with Yusuke. This is when I first met Botan. Of course I didn’t know she was the Grim Reaper, and boy did that creep me out when I did.
We walked up the road towards where Ash was waiting for us, a group of people with him. We introduced ourselves and they did the same. It was a relatively short trip to the next town so we could rest before we kept going to… well, wherever we were off to. Ash called his friend Serina, just to check on her I guess. I must admit I was a little suspicious of how he acted.
“Ash, is everything all right?” I asked, concerned and maybe just snooping a bit.
“Yeah I just have to go meet her ok?”
“Sure, we’ll be here.”
So he walked out the door and waved. I waved back and then he kind of disappeared into the sky… that’s another thing these guys freaked me out with… they should really warn me before they do things like that.
“Don’t worry, he’s just flying up to the lookout.” said Goku.
I stared at him, wide-eyed “You mean he can fly?!”
He just laughed “Yup most of us here can.”
“Weird… but in a good way… I think.”
Ash came back a few hours later and Serina came with him. That’s when I first met Ash’s old girlfriend… but I think it would have come up eventually. And I can’t forget Rini… that’s the one thing that was even weirder than the flying and Botan being the Grim Reaper put together.
“Um… Krystal?” he asked.
“Yeah Ash?” I asked in reply.
“I have something to tell you.”
“What? Is something wrong?”
Suddenly Rini appeared… she just popped out of thin air… that’s another weird thing.
“Hi!” she said.
“Where’d you come from!?” Ash said, nearly panicking I’d say.
“Hey who are you?” I asked… and boy was I in for a confusing answer.
“My name’s Rini.” she said. “I’m Ash’s daughter.”
“What!? You have a daughter!” I looked over at him, about to cry, and I was going to yell at him.
“Well… yeah in the future.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, confused… boy is he lucky I didn’t hurt him.
Ash explained about how Rini got there, which I think I followed well enough to grasp this future traveling concept.
“Well I guess I believe you. You would never lie.” I said, thoughtfully.
“That’s nice I’ll tell him that when you’re dead.”
“What?” I asked, surprised… was it inhuman and wrong for me to feel like I’ve been used to get back at Serina or something?
He ran up to me and grabbed me by my neck and lifted me off the ground. Yup he’s snapped… I was only eighteen I couldn’t die yet!
“What are you doing!?” said Goku.
“I, Dr. Gero, swore I would kill the one Ash loves so dearly.”
Well that was a relief… wait, I was still going to be killed by a psycho, that’s not a relief!
“Dr. Gero!?”

I’m dead… That’s all I could think at the time. I didn’t see any way for me to actually live through this. Even if Goku and the others tried to help I’d probably be killed before they could save me. I closed my eyes and tried to get free… Yeah like that was going to work. The next thing I saw was Ash punching the guy in the face but… some kind of energy ball went into him.
“No… Ash get up…” I walked over to him and knelt down. “Come on Ash… speak to me.”
I couldn’t believe it… Ash was really dead. I’d only met him a couple days earlier and already we were split apart forever.
“Well I guess I don’t have to kill him now.”
He laughed… just laughed, If I’d have stood a chance I would have killed him for that.
“Now it’s your turn Krystal. And think of it this way, at least you get to be with him.”
The worst of it was… he was even a jerk when he knew that someone was hurt. I’m glad he got what was coming to him. I would assume that happened, of course my eyes were closed again. The next thing I heard was Ash… and I really thought I was dead.
“Hey. Don’t cry.” he said, softly.
I felt his hand on my cheek and then I realized… I couldn’t be dead! The dead couldn’t feel, at least I thought so at the time, but Botan can feel things just like us. I’m glad I learned that later or I’d of thought I was really dead.

We kept going and then we stopped to rest at a temple Tenchi knew of. That night Ash was exploring with Serina, which I thought was something different… I mean, why wouldn’t he go exploring with his current girlfriend huh?! I would have gone… Oh, maybe I was asleep… ok, never mind then. If I was sleeping it wasn’t long before I was woken up.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, sleepy and mad that I had to get up early though I wasn’t in school.
“Ash disappeared we think… he fell into this well but he wasn’t down there.”
That got me up. Tenchi said I should eat some breakfast, but how could I when I knew Ash could be hurt somewhere… and when he got back boy was I right.
“Ash!” I shouted more worried then mad.
“Hi Krystal.” he said, like nothing had happened.
He had bandages on his chest covering a wound he says he got while looking for pieces of this jewel.
“Where have you been, I’ve been so worried!”
“Yeah I’m sorry Krystal but I promised I’d help these guys.”
He motioned to a silver haired boy and a black haired girl. I stared at the boy and saw his ears. Whoa… are those things real? I walked over to him and played with his ears. He grabbed my wrist.
“Will you stop it!” he said, glaring at me.
“You mean they’re real!?”
“Yup as real as can be.” said the girl, patting his head.
“Kagome…”
“Yes Inuyasha?”
“Will you get off my head?!”
I smiled. They may be weird but they seem like fun. I thought. Who would have guessed that I would be traveling with them in just a few short years? Not me I’ll tell you that.
In the next few weeks we traveled around and stopped at another city for about a week. That week was the strangest yet and maybe the strangest that has ever happened to me. Why you ask? Well me, and Ash’s two newly learned of sisters, Hitomi and Misty, died… yup that’s what I said died, lifeless, caput, had our lives ended… I think you get the picture.
On the bright side, Other-World is a really nice place. The next time I was on Earth, Ash had wished me and his sisters back with these things called Dragonballs.

Everyone continued on their adventure then we all decided to split up for a bit. Ash and I went one way.
“Hey Ash did you ever wonder how Rini is our daughter?” I asked.
“Yeah she doesn’t look like either of us.”
“In fact, she looks more like Serina.”
Suddenly there was a flash… I’ve been flashed by these future people too much for one lifetime… You and your dirty mind stop reading this and go do something else… Yeah I mean you! Now you’ve made me go and ruin the moment.
“Rini!” said Ash. “You’re not Rini.”
“Ash? Is that you?” said a young woman… he knows too many girls and that’s highly suspicious don’t you think so? You better because it’s my story and I say you do!
“Yeah I’m Ash but who are you?”
Ok so maybe I was wrong about that… so sue me.
“And you’re Krystal?”
“Yes.” I said, totally lost at this point in time.
“I’m Xianghua. But you call me Ryu. I’m your daughter.”
“What!?” said Ash clearly as confused as me.
“But we have a daughter named Rini.” I said.
“Rini? No she’s Serina’s daughter.”
There was a long pause… I hate pauses they make me feel like I said something really stupid.
“Well, Ryu, how old are you?” asked Ash, breaking the silence.
“I’m 18 but I’m from the future so it will be awhile.”
Oh great… more people from the future… Oh, crap I told she was from the future before you knew that! I really gotta think ahead.
“You shouldn’t have come!” said Ash, all of a sudden.
“Why not?” Ryu and I asked.
“Trunks said the next person who came from the future would be stuck here forever.”
“Well I guess I’m your eighteen year old daughter forever now.”
Um… you’re probably like “What the hell? Your daughter is as old as you!?” Well she would if she actually came two years ago… yes I forgot that too, I’m 20 now and Ash is 21.
“Heh.” Ash laughed.
So we continued to walk with our daughter, learning more about her, and we met the others two cities later.
“Ash who’s that?” said Misty. “Let me guess. She’s our sister right?”
He laughed “That would be normal but no.”
Who calls finding out you have sisters that are your friends and suddenly are reveiled AS sisters normal? Not me… but Ash’s life is very strange when you think of it, but maybe that’s the reason I love him.
“She’s our daughter.” I said.
“B-but isn’t Rini your daughter?” asked Serina.
Come on Serina think a bit… Rini looks nothing like either of us. Plus Rini’s kind of a brat… you people reading this better not tell her I said that or I’ll hurt you. Hurt you I say!
“Actually we got it backwards Rini is your daughter.” said Ash. “We were thinking she looked more like you before we met Ryu.”

Well I think Kagome and Inuyasha went back to the past… because Ash went back to help them, leaving me stranded in that city, a city that I happened to just live through. It was murder! It was a place of evil! If that is so… then evil and murder are some pretty fun things… Don’t you go out and do either or I’ll come and hunt you down!
Ash came to visit (just visit!? why not take me with you!?) and then went with his brother and two sisters to meet their friend Kasumi. Guess what happened there… go ahead guess! Nobody will think you’re crazy talking to a book or computer (whatever you’re reading). Come on live a little! You’re too slow so I’m gonna tell you… She turned out to be his sister too. Now how hard was it to guess that?
Well, the ever adventuring person that Ash is, came to get me (how I’ll miss the evil and murder) and took me back to the lookout before heading off to look for our other daughter and our son, Exire and Bryth. Yet again he left me there while he and Ryu went off into the future, but I think he regrets that know seeing as what happened… but I’m not gonna spoil that, even though it’s coming in the next paragraph.
Wouldn’t you know it (not that I’m complaining, this beats anything else I could ever do at the time) I got captured by another freak. He knocked me out from behind and when I came to, there I was in this tower. That tower was just like school in every way but getting a slash to the head with a spear… school never had to resort to that. Well this kid came in and slashed me with that spear and stuck something in the wound. It sent out some kind of shock and I screamed and my vision got blurry.
“Damn wrong again.” he said, and walked out of the room, just before I fainted.
The next thing I knew I was being forced to swallow some things. I tried not to swallow until I heard Ash’s voice.
“Ash…?” I said weakly.
“Yeah, It’s me, please eat these they’ll help you recover.” he said in a soft, comforting voice… he made it seem like I was going to die, I really hate when he does that but I know he’s just worried about me.
I opened my eyes slowly and looked around. Ash was standing up looking at some boy. I got up, with tears in my eyes, and hugged him.
“Ash you really came to save me…” I said.
“I could never leave you to die, Krystal.” he said looking down at me, smiling. “I got about…what? Three surprises now?”
“What?” I questioned.
He turned and introduced our daughter, Elie, and our two sons, Haru and Bryth. That’s the end of our kids, for now at least. We haven’t encountered anymore so far. We started to leave the tower after a battle with Naraku. We ran into someone on the way out… who else but the guy who brought us all here in the first place. Well, Ash, Inuyasha, Miroku (one of Inuyasha’s friends) and Sango (the first girl they rescued here) went and fought this guy, Yoshiro.
“I’ve gotta help somehow.” said Kagome.
“Kagome you can’t, Ash said to be careful.” I protested.
“And I will be… I just have to distract him.” she said as she picked up a bow and some arrows.
She strung the bow and said “Yoshiro! You’ll die before you get close to him!”
I knew that would do it… She wanted to draw his attention and that was exactly what she did... big time. He appeared behind Kagome and slashed her neck and back, and she fell out of the hole that was there. I knew nobody could have survived those slashes but if she did the fall would kill her. I was right… she was dead and that got Inuyasha ticked… REALLY ticked. He transformed into some type of full-demon and killed him. He then ran towards Ash and the others, but Miroku and Sango knocked him out. Then Inuyasha got up and walked over to Kagome. Ash and Inuyasha started to talk… I don’t know what about but I assume it was Kagome.
“Do it or you’re dead!” Inuyasha shouted.
Ash just stared at him… Ash… what won’t you do? Don’t get yourself killed… I thought. I’d lost him once I don’t want that to ever happen again.
“Haru go get five Senzu Beans!” Ash shouted up.
I looked over at Haru and he looked at me. I looked at Ash and then back at Haru and nodded. “Go ahead I think he’s going to use them to help Kagome.” Of course I had no clue what those were but hey… they must be able to help right?
“Right.” he said and hurried down the steps.
Haru came back in a couple minutes and tossed the beans down to Ash. I looked at him, worried, and wondered how he was going to pull this one off… but I don’t think there’s anything that Ash can’t do. He put his hands together in some weird way and a bright light shot out of his pointer fingers. I think I was just seeing things but I could swear that Kagome’s body twitched… boy was I wrong, Kagome got up and I panicked and grabbed Haru.
“Um… Mom? What’s wrong?” he asked, strangely.
“But... she was dead! How could she survive that?!”
“I’m sure dad will tell you later…”
I let go of Haru slowly and looked at Ash thoughtfully. Ash really is mysterious… I think he’s capable of anything. I’ve known Ash for two years now… but at that moment I felt like I’d never met him.

We went back to our own time (thank goodness). The future is a strange place. Sometimes things just never change in the Present though. Ash, once again went with Inuyasha and the others… even after all this had happened he just left me alone. There was something totally different this time… Before Ash left he asked if he could talk to me alone… I really hate it when he says that, he always makes me think we’re never going to see each other after it, but this time it was different… much different.
“Krystal, I’ve grown to know you these past few years.”
“Ash… I don’t even think I’ve met you at all, you just keep surprising me with something once I think I’ve figured you out.”
“Heh… Krystal I needed to talk to you about something very important.”
I nodded… Here it comes. I thought, and gulped.
“I’m going away with Inuyasha to help him find the jewel pieces and… the first time I come back… do you think you would marry me?”
I couldn’t believe it… It was the exact opposite of what I was thinking would happen.
“W-what did you say?” I said softly.
“Would you marry me?”
I’ll admit it… I blushed this time. What was I supposed to say? I loved him and this proved he loved me… The obvious choice was to say yes, but I was never expecting this to come up so soon.
“Of course!” I said, blushing.
He smiled, blushing a bit himself… that was new I’ve never seen Ash blush about anything, but I suppose this was as hard for him to say as it was for me to believe he said it. I still tease him about that.
So Ash left with Inuyasha and I waited happily for him to come back whenever that would be… What about the others knowing you ask? I blurted it out right after Keiko said “Hi.” to me a few minutes after they left.
“No way! You’re actually getting married?!” she said, smiling wider then ever.
“Yeah right when Ash comes back for the first time!” I said, not trying to hide my excitement.
“Do you want me to tell everyone else?”
“Um… I-I suppose you could…” I said, slowly.
She smiled at me and said “Come on you have nothing to be embarrassed about, silly.” she laughed.
I looked at her, smiling, and nodded.

It felt like I was waiting months, if not years, for Ash to get back. In reality it was only two weeks. He came back with Mall at his side, after escorting her back to the well. He looked around for me and I waved as he came close.
“You think you’re ready?” he said, happily.
“Of course, when are we having it?”
“Tomorrow good? That way I can get ready myself.”
I nodded and hugged him. He looked down and kissed me on the forehead. That was our first kiss believe it or not… but the actual kiss that we both made together was at our actual wedding. Usually, you’d think, you would have kissed a lot before you decided to marry… but we both knew we loved the other and that didn’t matter to us.
The next morning came relatively quickly and Ash and I had our wedding. I won’t go into detail here… maybe in another book. That’s if I feel like it AND you (being the reader) will pay attention, and buy it (we all need the money yes?). It was the greatest day of my life. Nothing else surpassed it… the second best was when I left school of course. Our time together was short though… Ash went back to help Inuyasha that day. This time he told me to train with Goku and some of the others to build my strength.
“But why Ash?” I asked, confused.
“It’s dangerous in the past… I don’t want you to get hurt.” he looked at me and smiled.
“You mean…?” I asked, a smile starting on my face.
He nodded and said “I’d like you to come with me… you’ve gotten a lot stronger Krystal, and with a bit for training you could hold your own out there… besides I know you’re always upset when I leave you here.”
“Ash you’re the greatest!” I said and hugged him.
He laughed “I gotta go catch up to the others… I’ll be waiting for you, honey.”
That’s the first time he called me honey and I thought it was so cute! Although… Keiko teases me about that comment too. Keiko sure is strange sometimes, but what are best friends for if not that? So, I did as Ash wanted and I trained with Goku and the others for about a week.
“You’ve done great Krystal!” Goku said one day “almost as good as Ash did.”
“Does that mean I can go now?!” I said, nearly bursting with happiness and excitement.
He laughed “That’s up to you… Ash said to go find them when you think you’re ready, and I can’t tell you that.”
Hmm… like that was a hard choice. I wanted to travel with Ash again so much!
“I think I should train for just a bit more…” I said thoughtfully.
Oh I got you there I bet you. You thought I was going to leave but no! Hah… I’m so cunning and persuasive.
Goku nodded to me. “Well then how about we try a new level of training?”
I cocked my head at him… How was he going to do that? But sure enough… he did his Super Sayin trick and that freaked me out pretty good too.
“What happened?!” I said, dumbfounded.
“This is what we call a Super Sayin… think you wanna try to fight me now?”
I nodded… but boy was that a mistake, when Goku says the next level he means about 5 times what the first was! Although… I did try to fight him, and I think I did ok (I didn’t die at least). He did break my arm though. Come to think of it it’s still sore.

I sat near the lookout wall, a big chunk of it smashed in from the impact, holding my arm. Note to self: Never fight Goku as a Super Sayin again. That’s the truth. Goku walked over to me and held out his hand.
“Heh sorry about that… maybe it was a bit too tough for you.” he said… No what made you think that? I thought, still holding my arm.
“Grab my hand, I’ll help you up.”
I looked at his hand, and grabbed it with my good left hand.
“Your arm ok, Krystal?” he said, concerned.
“I think it’s broken…” I said, feeling pretty stupid.
He told me to wait here while he went into the lookout. My legs felt weird too… so where was I going to go? He came back with some green guy… that wasn’t weird considering all the weird things I’ve seen since I met Ash.
“Krystal this is Dende, Dende this is Krystal.”
He smiled at me and I smiled back. What could he do to help?
“Which arm’s broken?”
“The right one…” I said, puzzled.
He laid his hands on my arm and they started to glow. I flinched a bit but Goku said it would be ok… these people and their weird powers, handy but weird. Well that did it; I could move my arm again! I nodded my thanks.
“Thanks a lot Dende!” said Goku “So Krystal you wanna try that again?”
“No!” I said, almost instantaneously.
He laughed at me… I hate it when people do that, and it’s always by people that I’d have no chance of hurting… but I knew Goku was just kidding, at least he better have been!
“Well then I’d think you’d better hurry and catch up with Ash… it may be the past but the world was still as big back then.”
Come again? I’d never thought of that… Ash was in the past, somewhere… I’d never be able to find him. I thought it was hopeless now… maybe Ash was just making me think he wanted me there.
Goku saw the surprise on my face and said “Now don’t get worried. Ash wanted me to teach you this one last thing before you went.”
“Will it help me find him?!” I asked, hope rising in me now.
“Yup, it’ll do just that. You need to learn to be able to sense power levels. Most likely Ash will be the only one with a power level there.”
So Goku taught me how to sense power levels… which I’m not going to describe to you, it’s my secret now! I bid my farewells to Keiko, Goku, and the others and went off into that well, back into the past.

Forest. You ever wonder what the past was like? Well it’s just that… forest. Well here goes nothing… I set off in the direction I could sense a power level… It was quite a walk to that stupid shack! Why couldn’t they rest in somewhere closer to the well? I could hear them talking before I reached the door, where Miroku was sleeping. I smiled He’s either been kicked out or he’s on guard. I thought.

“What about you and Inuyasha Kagome?” Ash was asking… the only thing I hate about Ash’s kindness is that he’s always nice to a girl in some way… He was alone with two of them now for Pete’s sake!
Kagome gasped “How’d you know I was awake?”
“You breathe faster when you think of breathing.” Ash said… How does he know? Does he go on secret spy missions for the government or something!? Um… Note to self: Check on that spy theory.
“Well… I have thought about it. He changes his attitude towards me a lot though…”
“So you’re both just waiting for them then…” he said… I assumed the other person in the meaning for both was Sango.
“I was waiting for you in the same way, Ash.” I said, walking in the shack… how’s that for a dramatic entrance?
He looked at the door as I came in.
“Krystal!” said Shippo and he jumped into my arms… he’s so cute!
I giggled. “Hi Shippo!” I said cheerfully… completely forgetting about Ash and the others.
“Hey, honey, you think you’re ready then?”
I smiled “Well I did find you all here right?”
“True, true.” he said, and smiled.
I walked over and sat next to Ash, and laid my head on his shoulder… that was some walk and I was pretty tired… what with the walking, and breaking of arms.
“Hey if you got in where was Miroku?” asked Sango. She walked outside and there was a loud wack followed by an ‘Ow!’
“Stay awake if you’re going to watch over us!” she said. “I guess I’ll have to stay out here with you…”
“You’d better rest a bit more Kagome. Inuyasha isn’t up yet.” said Ash… concerned, it seemed, more for her than me.
“Ok, Good Night Ash.”
That’s the last I heard because I was fast asleep on his shoulder, Shippo sleeping in my arms.
I got up, woken up by the sound of Sango’s voice, I think… anyways I hate wake up calls, must I have the curse of early rising even when I’m not tortured by school!?
“What’s happening?” I said softly, hardly awake.
I looked around but I didn’t see Ash. He must be outside. I looked down and saw Kilala.
“Oh you’re so cute!” I said and smiled at her.
Kilala jumped on my head, why I do not know, and I went outside, shielding my eyes from the sun (accursed sun in the morning!), and stood next to Ash.
“What’s wrong?” I said sleepily.
“Awww!” said Kagome… about what I did not know.
“Kagome will you stop that!” said Ash, maybe blushing a bit.
“But… It’s…”
He sighed “You better get used to it then.”
I looked at him and smiled sweetly “Aw, come on Ash, lighten up.”
Nobody can resist my sweetness! Not even you Mr. / Mrs. Reader!
He looked at me and said “Hey why’s Kilala on your head?”
I laughed. “We just met and I think she likes me.” I smiled… this is when I first met Kilala.
“I’m sorry Ash you two are just cute together.” said Kagome.
He grinned then said “Hey what’s the occasion Sango? It better not be just for us to stand together.”
“It’s nothing really…”
“Miroku’s missing Ash!” said Kagome… why nobody ever puts their problems with me always bothered me and this one was no exception.
“What?”
“He was gone when I woke up… I’m a bit worried about him.” said Sango. She looked at us.
“I’m going to find him. I’ll see you all as soon as I can.”
She ran off away from the shack Kilala, jumping off my head, followed close behind.

“They both try to hide the fact that they love each other.” Kagome sighed. “Like a certain demon we know?” Ash asked… this comment flew right over my head.
“Yes I suppose…” she said as her voice wondered off.
“Ash?” she asked after a bit… yet again relying on Ash and not me.
“Yeah what do you need?”
“Are you sure Inuyasha will be ok? It’s been a couple days…”
“Of course he’ll be fine… He is himself.” he said.
“I think I’m going to take a walk. I’ll be back later.”
“Ok Kagome, be careful.” I said… Yay! I got a word in!
“I will. Later!” She wondered off.
“I think I should go get a few Senzu Beans.” Ash said shortly after she was out of sight. “I’m getting worried about him too.”
“I’ll come with you.” I said… because I think Inuyasha’s still mad at me about playing with his ears.
“No stay here I need you and Shippo to watch Inuyasha.”
“Ok I’ll be here.” I said… Great, let’s just hope I’m living when he gets back.
He kissed me goodbye, (Yay! Second kiss!) and went off towards the well.
“I think we’d better go in and wait.” said Shippo.
“You’re right. Let’s go inside.” I agreed… that Shippo is one smart fox.

When we got inside Inuyasha was sitting up.
“Who the hell are you?” he said weakly.
He picked up his sword, Tetsusaiga, and faced it towards me.
“I-It’s me…” I said, startled…
Great job there Krystal, he’s sure to know who me is!
“You’re just a woman.” he said as he lowered Tetsusaiga. “Don’t worry I won’t hurt you.”
Just a woman!? A woman that could kick your sorry butt right about now! Silly dog, insults are for use of the fully healed.
“Inuyasha are you feeling ok?” I asked as she got closer, knowing he shouldn’t be up.
“How do you know my name?! Who are you?! Tell me!”
I jumped back and stared at him… sheesh he didn’t have to yell at me, I was just worried about him.
“Don’t you recognize me?” I asked.
He shook his head.
“It’s me, Krystal, Ash’s wife.”
Yay! There we go! Much easier to tell who ‘me’ is.
He slowly got up. “Krystal? You mean the Krystal from the tower?”
He got close and stared at me… I hate when people stare at me it makes me uncomfortable.
I started to blush (yes I admit it) and said “Wh-Why are you looking at me like that?”
He didn’t respond. I started to back away and he grabbed my wrist… now he was making me think he’s snapped.
“I can tell you’re lying. Ash isn’t married.”
What?! Didn’t Ash tell anyone? I think he’d at least tell the people that he was traveling with… maybe he did, after all Inuyasha was unconscious. Well, why not keep reading and find out dummy.
“Let go of me!” I said and winced. “And yes I am his wife!”
“Give me some proof then.”
“Look at my ring.”
And it’s MY ring, don’t even think of taking it or I’ll kill you!
He looked at the ring on my finger.
“Humph… Ok then.” he let go of my wrist… at least he’s still a bit sane.
“Man you really are a jerk.” I said, holding my hand tenderly.
“So where’s your husband then?” he looked around. “He nearly killed me…”
“Why should I even tell you…?” I said as I started to leave.
“No wait!”
“Why should I?!” I yelled… He had no reason to hurt me, and I wanted him to know I was mad at him.
“Uh… I’m sorry ok?”
“Well you should be…”
Ha! That’ll teach you.
“So…Could you please tell me?”
“…I really don’t know what happened. You were already out when I arrived.”
Wait didn’t I just say I wasn’t going to tell him? Curse him and his persuasive, cute ears.
“I see. Where are Miroku and Sango?”
“Miroku vanished and Sango went looking for him.” I explained, getting all technical and detailed. “Kagome went for a walk while Ash went to get some more Senzu Beans.”
“She’s alive?!”
I stared at him… She could mean Sango or Kagome; I figured he was talking about Kagome though.
“What’re you looking at?!”
“You should rest. I’ll get you up when Kagome is back.”
“Hell no, I’m fine so leave me alone.”
I continued towards the door. “Shippo make sure he stays there.”
I don’t know what I was thinking… Shippo would never be able to keep him in there. I sat back down at the campfire and waited for Ash.
“Ash you’re back!”
That wasn’t long. I jumped up and hugged him. (Yay, Hug!)
“That was fast.”
“I didn’t go back. I saw Raiden on the way. What he’s doing here I have no clue.” he looked at him and smiled.
Oh, another anecdote, I nearly freaked when I met Raiden the first time.
“It was nothing, I just happened to be here.”
I have no clue how I could hear that… and I just didn’t want to know.
“Yeah I’m sure…” he looked at him.
Ash started to go inside but he was punched in the face and fell to the ground. I panicked, why would Inuyasha do that?! I wanted to hurt him for that.
He spit some blood out of his mouth (I panicked then too) and said “What the hell was that for?!”
“There now we’re even. You tried to kill both of us.”
He looked at Inuyasha and grinned. “Well I guess I deserved that.”
Inuyasha stuck out his hand, helping him up. These guys… I’ll never understand them.

The next part is cute in my opinion but I won’t put it in here. Why? Because I don’t wanna share it with you! We’ll just skip to the next paragraph. Come to think of it the next part is too cute for you too. So we’ll skip until two paragraphs.
“Well, Inuyasha, what do we do now?” asked Sango.
He walked back over to Kagome.
“What do you think? We’re killing that bat.”
Sango and Ash got up and walked over to him… leaving me with Miroku.
“Don’t you think you should rest?” asked Sango.
“Can you even lift your sword yet?” asked Ash.
“You saying I’m weak?!”
“Yeah I am!”
I’m sorry but these conversations between Ash and Inuyasha are always so random. That’s why I like to put them in here! They glared at each other. Miroku looked over at me… of course I was looking at Ash and Inuyasha glaring at each other. He held my hands with both of his.
“Hello. You are most beautiful.”
“Uh… Thanks?”
I had no clue what was happening. Didn’t Miroku know me? Did only Ash, Shippo, Kagome, and Sango remember me?! Meh… 4 out of 6 is good enough.
“Would you bear my child?”
“What?!”
Well that answers my question but I was still nearly ready to kill him! He should know I’m married! ...That doesn’t mean that didn’t flatter me.
“Miroku what do you think you’re doing?! Get off of her!” I heard Ash shout.
“Well what do you say?” Miroku asked me again.
I stared at him, blushed, and said “What are you saying to me?”
I only blushed because… well nobody’s been that direct to me before! Plus I was ready to rip his arms off… but I wanted him to think I wasn’t.
Ash pushed himself in front of Miroku… putting me behind him.
“Who the hell do you think you are Miroku!?” he said. “Damn it if you ever think of touching Krystal again…”
“Ash…” I said, softly.
Yeah you teach him Ash!
“Why are you getting so touchy?” he asked. “You already have a wife.”
“She is my wife you idiot!”
“Oh! Pardon me, I had no clue your wife was so beautiful.”
I blushed from behind Ash… he may be a pervert but he sure knows how to make a girl blush.
Sango came up and hit Miroku on the head.
“You’re saying I’m not beautiful?!”
“Not at all!” he said and smiled nervously. Sango just glared at him.
“I suppose we can stay for one day.” said Inuyasha. “Kagome needs her rest too.”
We went back to our beds but Ash and I stood watch that night. Inuyasha came outside and said “Krystal you can use my bed if you want. I’ll keep watch.”
I yawned. “Thanks Inuyasha… Good Night.”
Yay! Somebody that likes sleep!
“’Night Krystal.” said Inuyasha.
“’Night honey.” said Ash.

Everyone was asleep (as they should be!). The door squeaked and Ash quickly picked up his Halberd and swung it towards the door. I screamed… geez there wasn’t a threat from inside! You may be wondering why I, the sleep lover, wasn’t sleeping… well just read then!
“Whoa! Sorry Krystal I didn’t know it was you.”
I laughed nervously “I thought you were asleep, I didn’t think you’d wake up and attack me.”
“The question’s why you are up” he yawned. “Couldn’t sleep?”
“No I couldn’t really…”
There’s your reason, you happy now?
I sat down next to him. He looked at me and smiled.
“You think you’ll be able to sleep out here?”
“What don’t you want me out here?!”
I’m playing with his head here. Why? Well it’s just fun to do sometimes.
“No! I-I just meant…”
“Humph… maybe I shouldn’t even be here.”
“Hey, come on, what’s gotten you so mad?”
I looked at him and smiled.
“I’m glad you care so much about me Ash.”
I laid my head on his shoulder and closed my eyes.
“W-wait I don’t get it…” he said. “I thought you were mad… Man, you’re so strange some times…”
That’s all, onto the next section! Why did I put this in? Because I wanted to so be quiet and keep reading!

We continued on and rested for the day at a hot spring (Yay hot springs!). Kagome, Sango and I went to take a bath (Yay baths!). The guys set up a campfire and were waiting there for us (Yay for making them wait!).
“Sango?! How’d you get that scar on your back?” said Kagome.
“My little brother Kohaku gave me that Kagome…”
“Where is your brother?” I asked… I had a brother but he’s been gone for a long time now.
“He was the one that hurt you all in the tower… I got this while I was fighting him.”
That brat! Settle down now… this is Sango’s brother… besides I think Ash said she killed him, and that has to hurt.
Sango leaned over and picked up a stone.
“Are you enjoying our conversation you peeping Toms?!”
She threw the stone into the bushes. They went over to see what it hit. I was too lazy.
“A monkey?”
Miroku and Inuyasha jumped up and ran towards them.
“No guys wait!” said Ash, back at the campfire.
WHAM!
Heh those guys are lucky I wasn’t there; I would have hurt them much more.
Inuyasha and Miroku were sitting back at the fire while we got dressed.
“Oh boy…” Shippo sighed… that’s all I heard about what they were talking about.
“Hmph… I can’t believe you guys would do that!” said Kagome as we came over.
“…I can believe Miroku would do that…” said Sango.
“Ash you didn’t come over…What if we really were in trouble?” I asked, thinking that Ash is far too laid back for his own good.
“Well you guys didn’t scream so there can’t be that much trouble.”
Well that made sense… I think.
“Hmph… At least one of you thinks before they act.” said Kagome.
“Aw, don’t be mad at me! I came because I thought you were in trouble!” said Inuyasha. Kagome sat next to him.
“I know… Thank you Inuyasha.” She smiled.
Sango sat next to Miroku.
“So what’s your excuse?”
He laughed nervously “Of course it’s the same.”
She glared at him.
I’m interested to see how these two are going to work this out.
“You should get some sleep girls… We have a long walk ahead of us.” said Inuyasha.
Kagome kissed Inuyasha goodnight and went to her sleeping bag.
“Good Night Kagome.” said Inuyasha.
Sango and I did the same… not all kissing Inuyasha, but kissing Miroku (Sango) and Ash (Me)… must I explain everything to you?

Inuyasha went over and poked Kagome… I know, I actually saw this… I was actually awake early! The Horror!
“Come on, get up, it’s time to head out.”
She rolled over and said “Five more minutes…”
If I can do it you can too Kagome.
“If you want to sleep on the way it’s fine with me.”
“Ok…” she mumbled.
She got up and yawned.
“Good now climb on my back.”
She did and laid her head on his shoulder… why doesn’t Ash ever carry me?
“Ok Miroku, ready to go.”
They continued off a bit… I followed for a few steps but then I stopped and stared in their direction. Ash came up behind me, put his arms around my waist, and rested his chin on my head… which is new… that’s never happened yet.
“What’s up?” he asked.
“I don’t think I should be here… they seemed pretty beat up.”
“That’s what happens.” he said “Always has and always will.”
“It’s not them I’m concerned about.” I looked down “I just think I’ll get you killed because you would be protecting me…”
“Of course you won’t get me killed… but I’m not gonna lie to you.”
I looked back at him… what’s he trying to say?
“There’s always a chance any of us can die out there. The more people we have the less capable we are of getting hurt.”
I pulled away from him.
“How can you be so calm about this!? Don’t you worry!? Don’t you care at all?!”
I couldn’t believe he’d be so insensitive! He’s never acted like that… I felt like I was losing touch with him. I started to cry… well I was really mad and worried but I cried none-the-less.
“Don’t you care if you, your friends or I die?!”
“Of course I…”
“Yeah? Then why aren’t…”
He put his finger to my lips… another first, but that got my attention.
“Calm down and let me explain myself.”
I sniffed and nodded to him.
“First, please don’t cry. I hate it when you cry.”
He brushed the tears off my cheek, and then held my hands in his… I think he stole that off Miroku.
“You don’t have to worry about any of us dying. Kagome and I are capable to bring someone back to life if they do die.”
“Ok…”
“Also, I’ll never let you get hurt Krystal and It’ll take a lot to get rid of me.”
I nodded, embraced and smiled (as I would call it) adorably at him.
“I don’t think I can fight anything though.”
I just broke an arm! I don’t want to break anything else for a while.
“Heh ‘course you can,” he grinned “after all we’ll be fighting beside you.”
“I suppose it can’t hurt to try right?”
“Right, ready to go then?”
What’s with that?! He stole my powers of cute persuasion for that moment! He’s cunning, I’ll give him that. I nodded and we strolled, hand in hand, in the direction of Inuyasha and the others (Yay Strolling!).

We came to a small outpost and decided to rest a bit. A group of men came towards us.
“Sango, the demon slayer, our Lord requires your assistance.” the leader said.
“M-me? …Why me?”
Her? …Why her?
We went inside and talked about what they needed.
“Our Lord shall gladly pay you for your services.”
I want pay! I want to be able to get paid for services! Why not me!?
“The reward you offer is far too generous, I’m afraid I can’t accept…”
I’ll give her that one… I don’t think it’s worth that much just to kill something. How much? Guess my answer… yup, not telling.
“You cannot refuse, Sango.” said a man getting off his horse. “It has been six long years since I have last seen you.”
“Do I know you?”
“Look closer Sango, he seems to know you quite well.” said Kagome.
She nodded.

The Lord took us to castle and got us room. Sango was sitting with a lot of food in front of her. I want lots of food! This bites… why don’t I get any of this fancy stuff?
“Why does she get the royal treatment?” said Inuyasha.
He took the words right out of my mouth.
“He’s trying to court her, of course she’ll get more!” said Kagome.
Miroku went over to the girl that brought the food.
He grabbed her hand and asked “Would you bear my child?”
All the flattery of Miroku actually asking me that question disappeared then… he’s lucky Ash saw what I was planning to do to him, and held me back.
“Calm down,” he whispered “he does that to every pretty girl he meets.”
“That doesn’t make it right!” I hissed back at him.
He smiled nervously when he realized how mad I was about this.
“Silly monk you can’t be serious.” she smiled and backed away.
“No I am very serious.”
She smiled at him and left.
Sango got up, smacked Miroku in the head, and stomped out of the room.
“When will he learn?” said Ash as he took another sip of tea.
Where’s my tea!? Oh… never mind, it’s right there.
“What’s she so mad about?” asked Miroku.
“Well what can you expect Miroku? You flirt with every woman you see, while the young Lord has affections only for her?!” said Kagome
We all went back to our food… We would have eaten Sango’s but Kagome made us stop… party pooper.
About a minute later Kagome shouted “I got it! I know what to do!”
I nearly spilt my tea, but I caught it and sighed with relief. Ash looked at me and smiled.
She jumped up, grabbed Miroku, and dragged him outside.
“Uhhh… what’s gotten into her?” asked Inuyasha.
Ash just shrugged and drank some more tea.
Does he have the everlasting tea or something?

Kagome hatched some plan to get Miroku and Sango together but it failed… too bad, they’d make a nice couple. I fell asleep before that demon even came though… that sucks. Ash said it wasn’t even a demon though just some spirit of a demon. We left the Lords castle the next day and waited a bit outside the gates.
Sango and the Lord were talking then she bowed and headed back us.
“Miroku why aren’t you wearing your umbrella hat?” asked Kagome.
“I’m fine… besides the strap is broken.”
He turned back around and continued walking.
Kagome nudged Sango with an umbrella. Why she didn’t give me an umbrella I did not know. Sango looked back and took it, as Kagome nodded towards Miroku… oh, well that explains it. She walked over to him and held the umbrella above his head. He looked back and smiled at her.
They started to talk.
“See I told you an umbrella was a handy thing Inuyasha.” said Kagome.
“Yeah whatever.”
Kagome looked back at Ash and I.
“Ash where’s yours?”
“I gave it to Krystal, her hat strap broke too.”
And that he did! He’s so good to me. Kagome looked at me and smiled, as Ash and I smiled at each other. We looked forward and Miroku reached over and touched Sango’s butt. She slapped him and walked ahead. Miroku sat on the ground, looked at Sango and smiled… I’ll never understand him, he always ruins the perfect moments.

We walked up to Miroku and he walked with us. Kagome started to run ahead, to walk with Sango, but a wolf demon dashed in and grabbed her. I feel like putting this in to demonstrate the powers that Kagome has because I think they’re really cool!
“Kagome!” said Inuyasha.
“Let go of me!” she said.
“Well if it isn’t the mutt.” he said… he being Koga.
“Oh great…Koga.” said Inuyasha. “Get out of her wolf boy!”
Whoops I guess Inuyasha said that.
He let go of Kagome “Gladly… seeing as I have what I want.” he said as he held up the half of the jewel.
Inuyasha unsheathed Tetsusaiga and ran towards Koga.
“Inuyasha sit!” said Kagome.
Hah there it is! I just love how he just falls to the ground as soon as she says that.
He was hurtled to the ground.
“Ugh… what’d you do that for!?”
Strange thing is Inuyasha never learns nor admits he did something.
“Koga, please give me back the shards…”
“Hmph… fine since you asked Kagome.”
She smiled.
“Don’t you smile at him!” said Inuyasha.
“Sit!!” she shouted. “I’ll smile at who ever I want.”
Once again you have experienced the coolness.
He fell to the ground again.
“Kagome, maybe you should think before you do things…” said Ash.
“Sit! Sit! Sit!”
Ooo… a triple… made by a comment from Ash no less… maybe Kagome SHOULD think before she acts.
He hit the ground and shouted “AGH!!!! That wasn’t even me!!!”
“Oh…” she laughed nervously “sorry about that Inuyasha.”
“Stupid girl…” he mumbled.
“Oh Inuyasha…”
“Uhh… I… I didn’t…”
“Sit...”
Heh… I guess Kagome got tired of saying that.
He fell to the ground.
“Will you stop it!?”
Kagome grabbed the back of his shirt and dragged him away from Koga.
“Hey let go of me!”
Inuyasha got up and they continued walking.
Kagome slapped Ash. She shouldn’t have done that… even if he deserved it.
“Ow. Heh, crap, I thought you forgot.” he said and smiled.
“Not on your life.” she said and pointed at him, then smiled.
Don’t get too friendly with him Kagome… I’ll be watching you.

Next thing I know I hear Kagome shout “Mall?! What brings you back?”
“Mom! I found my sister!”
“What?! You have a sister?” said Inuyasha.
Arliss smiled and waved “My name’s Arliss.”
Ash looked up quickly “What? Arli?!”
When he said that I didn’t know what he was talking about… then I saw Arli.
She looked past Inuyasha and saw Ash.
“Ash!” she said and ran over and hugged him.
Maybe I should just leave them alone. That’s just what I did… I left and went to go think this entire thing over. I was just upset and angry that Ash knows so many girls… even if they’re not girlfriends they still hug him and everything, acting like he couldn’t be in love with anyone else! I know I’m ranting but thanks for listening while I did. Continue with the story I say!

“Hey, honey, what’s up?” he said in his usual carefree voice.
I looked away from him and said “Like you care…”
I really meant it too… He apparently didn’t know what he did.
He sat next to me.
“I think I know what’s wrong… You think something’s happening, or happened even, between me and Arli right?”
Hah… it took him long enough.
There was a pause and then I said “I thought you cared about me, Ash…”
“What do you mean? Of course I do.”
Ok… maybe he didn’t.
“I’m sure…”
“Look let me explain…”
“Fine go ahead if you must.”
“Okay, you don’t have to look at me but at least hear me out. See, I met Arli when I was little, she was one of my first friends… but that’s all she is. I never loved her and I never will. You get it?”
I sighed, He’s used that lame excuse before… and I told him so “I’ve heard that before Ash, with Serina. You said you’d never love anyone else but her and here you are with me.”
“That may be true but did I ever go so far as to marry her?”
I looked at my ring and smiled… ok so he got the best of me on that one.
“I guess you’re right, honey.” I said as I looked at him and smiled.
That’s the first time I called him honey, maybe that’s when I truly accepted that he loved me and not anyone else. He smiled back and I moved over next to Ash.
“Ash?” I said as I laid my head on his shoulder.
“Yeah?”
“I’m glad I married you.” I said and then kissed him.
Hah… one to one… I bet he wasn’t expecting me to kiss him, just like when he kissed me after he proposed.
He smiled, stood up, and held out his hand “Well, ready to meet her now?”
I grabbed his hand and said “Sure, let’s go.”

As we got close Mall and Arli waved.
“Well… as I was saying. Arli I’d like you to meet my wife Krystal.” said Ash.
“Your wife?”
He and I nodded.
“Congratulations Ash!” she said and smiled. “To tell you the truth… I’d never think you’d get married.”
“Hey! What’s that mean!?”
She laughed “You were always a crazy kid. I’d never imagine you’d settle down with somebody.”
“But I bet he was a cute kid.” I said, smiling… starting to mess with his head again.
“Of course he was. He still is.”
“Ok, enough…” said Ash, blushing.
I think I’m going to like this girl.
“I agree he is still cute.”
“Come on, cut it out!”
We laughed “Ok we’ll stop.”
“Well… I’d hate to interrupt this exciting conversation but you two can’t tag along with us.” asked Inuyasha.
“Awww come on dad.” said Arliss “Why not?”
Speaking of dad… I wonder how our kids are.
“If you were here you’d understand how dangerous it is… I’ve just met you. I don’t want you dying.”
“Inuyasha, you wimp.” said Ash.
“You’re lucky you’re over there!”
“I think he’s right though.” he said looking at Arli. “We don’t want to have to worry about you two in addition to the people we have now.”
She nodded and Mall said “Ok then, let’s go Arli.”
They waved goodbye and headed back to the well.

Just then, for reasons unknown, I had some kind of… hunch shall we call it? Maybe more of a feeling… Either way I just felt as though something was going to happen concerning Arli.
“Ash, can I follow Arli?” I asked.
“What?! Why?” he asked, staring directly into my eyes.
“I just have a feeling something’s going to happen.” I said, averting my eyes… I couldn’t just tell him, he’d think I was planning something!
“A feeling huh?” he said, thinking.
“So can I go? I promise I’ll tell you if I’m right!”
“No…”
“Aww Ash, please, please, please, ple—“
He put his finger on my lips, and I got quiet.
I think he has some kind of power that makes me do that if he touches my lips. I swear he must!
“Let me finish… You can go but you have to tell me even if you’re wrong. Got it?”
“Got it, thank you Ash!” I said and smiled.
I raced off in the direction we last saw Arli and Mall go. This feeling… it has to have something to do with my family or I don’t think I would care. I thought as I slowed down, catching sight of Arli. Wonder why she stopped. I knelt down behind a tree and looked out from behind it. That was what I was feeling! It was Bryth; he was with Arli and Mall.
“Hi B!” said Arli.
“B what’re you doing here?” asked Mall.
B? Geez how lazy can you be? At least the other nicknames are more than one letter.
“I came looking for you two. You’ve been gone a while.” he said.
Just like his dad… friends with too many girls.
“Yeah, we would have been sooner but Ash was talking to his wife about something.” said Arliss.
“Is something wrong with mom?” Bryth asked, looking at Mall.
“What? You mean Krystal’s your mom?!” Arli asked.
What I couldn’t possibly be his Mom?
“Yeah… I’m from the future too.”
“So… Ash is… your dad?”
He nodded.
“Well, I should have guessed you were related to Ash. You’re just as sweet as him.” she smiled, blushing a bit.
What’s this now?
He blushed and rubbed the back of his neck “Uh… thanks.”
Aww that’s cute, so young… even if it was 1 year younger than when Ash and I did the same.
Mall walked ahead and whispered as she smiled “I’ll just leave you two alone.”
Bryth grabbed Arli’s hand and they followed after Mall.
So that’s what Arli had to do with anything… seems like Bry and Arli are getting pretty close. I thought. I smiled, that’s just what happened with me and Ash… One meeting and already we were traveling together. Well that was the end of my first and last spy mission, so I headed back to Ash.
“Back already? That was quick.” he said, surprised.
I nodded, smiling, blushing just a bit… I think I blushed because I felt happy for Arli and Bry… come to think of it I don’t really know, but I say that’s the reason.
“And were you right or wrong?”
“Both.”
“How can it be both?”
“I was right Arli had to do with it… but I didn’t know why.”
“Then what was it?”
I walked ahead of him a few feet, hands behind my back, and stopped. “I think we’ll be seeing a lot of Bry and Arli together from now on.” I said, still facing away from him.
“Heh… you don’t say.” he said, walking forward.
He stopped next to me and I looked at him.
“Yup… and I couldn’t be happier for them.” I said and continued walking.
Inuyasha and the others were waiting for us.
“Geez can’t you guys walk any faster?”
“I had a little something to take care of first.” I said.
“Well let’s keep going then. We still have half this jewel to get.”

We kept walking (I miss cars) and rested for the night. We sat near the camp fire and Inuyasha and Kagome were arguing about something… I didn’t really listen. I sat with my chin on my knees and stared into the fire, smiling. I wonder if Bry actually knows how Arli feels about him. I thought, and then shook my head. Nah he’s just like his dad… I bet he can’t even tell yet. Then it hit me… for reasons I do not know.
“Oh no!” I said, panicking.
Kagome stopped arguing with Inuyasha, looked over at me and asked “Is something wrong Krystal?”
Honestly… when does somebody shout ‘Oh no!’ and not have something wrong?
“I completely forgot… would it be ok if I went back to the Present for a bit?”
Ash looked at me confused. “What’s wrong?” He looked into my eyes searching for the answer.
“I just forgot I had somebody to meet today…”
Who is this somebody? I’m not telling because I’ll ruin the story!
He nodded “Want me to come with you?”
This would be the perfect chance for me to introduce them to each other! I thought.
“Yeah, sure, I’m sure she’d be glad to meet you.”
You thought it was another guy huh?! What do you think I am? I’d never do that to my HUSBAND. Now read… read I say!
“She?” he cocked his head at me.
I nodded, smiling.
Then again… maybe she wouldn’t.
“Um… yeah how about we leave tomorrow?
“You said you had to meet her today…”
“Really? Sorry I meant today as in tomorrow.”
“Uh-huh… Ok tomorrow then.”
We went to bed, I just faked it… I wasn’t sure if she’d like to meet Ash… she may think I rushed into this marriage a bit… I got up when I was sure everyone was asleep and headed off towards the well.
As soon as I thought I was far enough away I started to run. How could I forget? I only get to see her every 4 years… I got to the well, jumped in, and headed out of the door of the temple and, wouldn’t you know it, Ash was waiting on the other side.
“Tomorrow huh?”
I nearly jumped sky high, not to mention nearly waking everyone up that lived in a 2 mile radius of the temple.
“You jerk! How could you scare me like that?!” I shouted at him.
He smiled nervously at me “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“How’d you get here so fast?” I asked, settling down.
“Instant Transmission… I can warp to wherever I’ve been if I can picture the place clearly.”
Well that made… no sense at all, but I suppose that’s ok.
“Ok… well, you found me out, so I guess you two will have to meet.”
“Who is this other person, and why wouldn’t you want me to meet her?”
“It’s my older sister, Yumi, she only comes back every four years, and I didn’t think she’d approve of me getting married when I was only 20.” I explained quickly, embarrassed.
He nodded “Well, what does she look like?”
“Krystal!” a girl shouted from behind us.
“Uh… like that.” I said, looking behind me.

Yumi hadn’t changed… still as tall as me, her purple hair at the same length as mine (if it was down)… pretty much my exact double, but with purple hair. Oh, of course, how could I forget her red uniform which, in my opinion, was, and still is, less cute than mine. At least mine had some other colors to it… but I digress, on with the story!
Yumi walked up to me and gave me a quick hug.
“How’ve you been sis?” she said, smiling, her purple eyes looking into mine.
I always thought that was weird… having purple eyes, purple hair was normal… or at least it could have if she had dyed it.
“Great! I missed you so much!”
“They still making you wear that old uniform, eh?” she said, looking at my white school uniform I kept.
It had a pink ribbon on the front (which was cute) and a blue collar, and matching hat! (Convenient no?) I just knew you all wanted to know that so much.
“I thought you’d get new ones in College.” she continued.
“I might have… if I’d actually gone.” I said studying her red uniform.
“You didn’t go?” she asked, her eyes wide. “Why not?!”
This was it…
“I decided to journey with Ash… speaking of which I’d like you to meet him.”
I stepped to the side and gave him a look. He walked forward and stuck out his hand.
“Nice to meet you.” he said, smiling.
“Uh… yeah, you too.” she said shaking his hand.
I saw her look at his ring… I’m sure she’ll ask about it.
“How long have you known Krystal?” she asked… so far so good.
“About two years now.” he said looking at me.
What happened next just happened for no apparent reason. I say it was her delaying the question but… I snapped.
“We’re married!” I shouted, blushing.
“What, really?” she asked looking at me then at Ash who, in turn, was looking at me in surprise.
“Yeah…” he started “We got married just a little while ago.”
“Krystal how could you?” she said, turning on me.
“It’s my life and I’ll do what I think is best!”
She laughed… always laugh at me when I can’t beat you up! Why am I not able to beat her up? Because she’s my sister for goodness sake!
“I didn’t mean it like that, silly.” she said, smiling “Why didn’t you tell me? I would’ve come!”
“You really weren’t going to be mad at me?”
“No way… like you said it’s your life and you can do as you please.”
I looked at her and smiled, then asked “Hey Yumi?
“Yeah?” she asked in reply.
“Have you heard anything about Ryo lately?”
She paused for a moment and then said “No… I haven’t.”
I looked at the ground… Ryo was my older brother and when I was little, about 8, he left me and my sister and went off somewhere. He’s been missing ever since… 12 long years.
Ash looked at me, confused.
“Oh Ash, Ryo’s my brother… but I haven’t seen him for twelve years… and I was just worried about him.”
He nodded.
“So… is this where you live Krystal?” Yumi asked, looking around the temple.
“Nope, it’s my friend Kagome’s house.”
“Then why’d you say to meet here?”
“I knew I’d be close.” I looked at Ash to see whether I should tell her about the well. He nodded. “I just came from the past.”
“What?”
So I explained everything, with Ash’s help of course. I told her about when we first met, the lookout, getting captured and taken to the future, our wedding… everything. I think we lost her on everything we said though; I swear I had to say this about 10 times.
“Well… I’d have to say that sounds more fun than being in school all day.”
No duh.
“No duh.”
Oh I actually said that?
She laughed “You always did hate school.” she said, looking off into the sunrise. “I just finished college myself… and I’d like to ask you something.”
“Uh-huh?”
“Do you think I could come with you two?” she asked, stealing my powers of cute persuasion (curse them when used by others!).
“Uh…” Ash started, and then looked at me.
“Sure!” I said.
“We’d love to have you come with us.” Ash finished.
So off we went into the well and back to Inuyasha and the others.

What we found wasn’t what we were looking for… It seems somebody attacked them while we were gone. Kagome was leaned against a tree, her side bleeding, and Inuyasha was lying on his back in the middle of the road.
“Oh no… Ash what happened?” I asked, frightened.
Yeah… like I was gonna get an answer.
“I-I… don’t know…” he said, sounding just as worried as me.
I looked back at Yumi, who was holding her hands to her chest looking down at Kagome. She looked at me and I could tell she didn’t expect to see something like this with us.
“Krystal… I need you to go back to the well.” Ash said, walking over to Inuyasha and kneeling next to him.
“Aren’t you coming?” I asked, nervously, as Yumi went over to Kagome and checked to see if she was alive also.
Ash looked over at her and nodded, “Inuyasha’s alive…” he said, pausing. “… Kagome’s not… I need you to take him back to rest.”
I ran in front of him, threw my arms open, and shouted, “I’m not going to let you fight this thing alone!”
He’s being too reckless; I knew he was going to get himself killed. He walked closer to me and stared into my eyes.
“If you two don’t get them out of here nobody will be able to bring Kagome back to life.”
“You can’t throw your life away! Why won’t you just think for once and bring Kagome back so we can help!?”
He held my head in his left hand and put his right hand on my shoulder.
“I can’t… I’m not able to bring anyone back for a little while… and I’m sorry I have to do this to you.” he said softly.
I felt his right hand pinch my neck and my eyes got blurry.
“Yumi, please take her back… I want her to be safe.”
At that point I fell into Ash, unconscious…

I awoke slowly and then I saw Yumi.
“Yumi… is that you?” I asked, hardly able to speak.
“Hey you’re up! Ash must have really known where to knock you out at… you’ve been asleep for 2 days now!”
Then it hit me… Ash! He was going to fight the thing that attacked Inuyasha and Kagome. I sat up slowly and looked around. We were in the lookout again.
“Yumi is Ash ok?!”
“Yeah,” she smiled “he’s just fine. He listened to what you said… he didn’t fight, and he helped me get you three back here.”
Yumi looked over to the door where Ash was sitting. He smiled at me and I jumped up and ran over to him.
I smacked him in the head “Don’t you EVER do that to me again!!” I said angrily, then calmly “I was really worried about you…”
He just looked at me and smiled “We better head back… Sango and Miroku are still back there.”
“Ok…” I said and got up. “Let’s go then.”

We headed back to the past and went to the spot we found Kagome and Inuyasha.
“Ok we better split up… Krystal go that way.” he said pointing left. “Yumi you go right. I’ll continue forward.”
Yumi and I nodded and we set off. Ash must have thought a bit more when I was unconscious because he’s actually letting me go alone. I came to a small opening in the woods and saw a girl kneeling in the middle of it. She was wearing a white shirt and blue skirt and had cat type ears. She also had a sheath on her back. Is she a demon…? I thought. Nah… she couldn’t be. Then I saw why she was kneeling; blood was running down her face, coming from her mouth, where it fell into a small pool of blood.
“Oh my God, are you ok?!” I asked, running over to her and kneeling next to her… she also had a gash in her head that bled to where it met the other one.
She backed away from me and stared.
“Just get it over with… go ahead and kill me already.” she said softly, looking away.
“I’m not here to hurt you… I was looking for my friends.”
She stared into my eyes, a small smile appeared on her face, and she nodded. Her eyes closed quickly and she fell forward into my arms.
“Hey are you ok?! Hey wake up!” I said, worried.
No response… I hoped she wasn’t dead.
“Ash, Yumi! I need your help!” I shouted.
They came running over.
“What’s wrong?” Ash asked and looked around. “There’s nobody here.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.” I said motioning to the girl. “She’s hurt… badly… you have to help her! I told her she’d be ok!”
“Who is she?” Yumi asked.
Yeah, like I knew.
“I don’t know I just saw she was hurt and I wanted to help.”
“Well let’s hurry and go back to the well, she’s still alive.” Ash said.
We headed back to the well and put her in the bed I was using. It was 3 days before she woke up… and I never left her side, and of course Ash never left mine… he sat on the floor at the entrance the entire time. When she did wake up we were both asleep.
“Hey… hey, get up!” said a voice, a finger poking my forehead.
I sat up and rubbed my eyes.
“Who’s that?” I said, sleepily.
Well duh, who do you think it was?
“Thanks for your help back there… I thought I was done for.” said the girl, smiling.
“No problem, my pleasure.” I said, smiling, wide awake now.
“The name’s Kairi, pleased to meet yah.” she said, extending her hand.
I shook her hand “Name’s Krystal and same to you.”
Ash stirred and rubbed the back of his head.
“That’s Ash, my husband.” I said, looking at him, and then turned back to Kairi. “He helped bring you over here.”
“Thank you.” She nodded to him and he nodded back.
“If you don’t mind my asking, why’d you help me?” Kairi said, confused.
“You were bleeding and well… I just felt like helping you.” I said, looking into her red eyes. “Who did that to you?”
She shook her head “I don’t know… whatever it was killed everyone in my home… including my sister.”
“I-I’m sorry… I didn’t know.” I said, sadly… it’s hard losing the person you care for most.
“…You said you were looking for your friends.” she said, changing the topic. “Did you find them?”
I shook my head and Ash said, “We brought you back here to rest… Miroku and Sango will be fine out there.”
“Um… are you a demon of some type?” I asked, choosing my words carefully.
“Heh… no, I’m not, the ears make you want to think that though.” she smiled. “I just have ears like a cat… that’s what I thought everyone had.”
I smiled, and shook my head, “Nope not many people have ears like yours.”
I heard the door open and we all looked to see who it was.
“You couldn’t be the kid of a demon and a human?” asked Inuyasha as he sat next to Ash, Kagome came in next (she was just revived by the Dragonballs) and sat next to Inuyasha.
“I’m sorry I don’t know.” she said, her ears lowering.
“You have to know!”
“Stop pestering the poor girl Inuyasha!” said Kagome. “If she says she doesn’t know then she doesn’t know!”
There was a pause and then Ash said “Well since we’re all living shall we head back to look for Miroku and Sango?”
“Uh… what about me?” Kairi asked.
“You wanna come with us?” I asked.
“Ok, that is if you don’t mind.”
“Yea…” started Inuyasha.
“First lesson is to never listen to Inuyasha, Kairi,” I said, smiling. “Because he’s wrong most of the time.”
“What’d you say?” he said looking at me.
I smiled at him and said “Nothing Inuyahsa.”
I got up and extended my left hand to Kairi.
“Ready to go then?”
She nodded, grabbed my hand, and we set off.

We teleported back to Kagome’s place and walked up the steps to the temple.
“Ash?” said a girl’s voice from behind us.
We stopped and he turned around.
“It is you!” she said, walked up to him and kissed him.
“Ecliar?!” he said blushing “W-what’re you doing here?”
“What, aren’t you glad to see me?” she said, smiling at him.
“Uh… heh… sure.”
“Yeah that’s really convincing…” she said, rolling her eyes.
“I just didn’t expect to see you so soon.”
“Well Lumiere and I are stationed to Earth now. So you’ll probably see a lot more of us around here.”
He nodded and she grabbed his arm “Come on, let’s go see Lumiere!”
“Whoa, hey, wait!” he shouted as she dragged him away.
“Um… what just happened here?” Kagome asked, confused.
I started laughing “I knew Ash being friends with too many girls would come back to haunt him.” I said, smiling.
“You’re not mad at him?” asked Inuyasha.
“Nah… so Kagome, got anything to eat?” I asked grinning at her.
“Hmph… humans.” Inuyasha said, quietly.

Ash came back that night, and slid down the wall to the floor. Lumiere and Eclair sat on each side of him.
He let out a long sigh “You guys are crazy.” he said, then laughed.
Eclair was Ash’s age. She had brown hair, yellow eyes (weird), and worked for some detective company called G.O.T.T. , kinda like Yusuke does. She and Ash had met long before Ash and I had met. He met them when he was traveling with Gene and the others looking for the Galactic Layline. Ash was only 15 then and so was she. Lumiere was 15 now and she had bluish hair and blue eyes. She was only 9 at the time but she was still working for G.O.T.T. with Eclair, which is kinda weird but what the heck. You know what that means… she met Ash at the same time.
“How’ve you been Ash?” asked Lumiere… I like her; she’s not as forward as Eclair… particularly in the greetings department.
“Great.” he said smiling.
“We’ve missed you Ash.” said Eclair “How’s Gene?”
“Actually, I haven’t seen him for so long… We should visit him soon.”
“Let’s go now!” Eclair shouted, jumping up and grabbing Ash’s arm.
“B-but I…” he protested.
She dragged him out of the room and down the temple steps.
“Hey wait!” I shouted and followed after them.
I grabbed Ash’s arm but she started pulling me along too! Geez she’s strong. She took us both to her ship, Lumiere apologizing to me on the way, and she let us go when we got there.
I breathed heavily “Geez you’re really strong you know that?”
“Who are you!?” she shouted, pulling out her gun and putting it to my forehead.
“H-hey watch it!” I said… sweat dripping down my face.
“Eclair it’s ok!” he said, grabbing the gun. “This is Krystal, my wife.”
She stared at me, wide-eyed.
“No way… you’re married?”
Ash and I nodded and she lowered the gun slowly.
“Sorry about that.” she said, bowing.
“Heh… N-No problem.” I said, nervously.
“So Ash I’m sure you remember La Muse… ready to fly her again?” she said, smiling, motioning to the ship.
He laughed nervously “I never flew it the first time. I never flew any ships.”
“You flew the Outlaw Star.”
“No, Gene flew it; I just manned the gun…”
“I’m sure you could fly it Ash!” she kissed him. “Wanna try?”
“Will you stop kissing him?!” I shouted.
She blushed and said “Sorry I’m just so used to that.”
I glared at Ash… she’s used to it huh?
“Uh… let’s get going! I might as well try right?” he said quickly, smiling nervously at me.

So Ash did fly the La Muse to some planet (I can’t remember the name). He’s actually a pretty good pilot. Of course, we completely forgot about Inuyasha and the others at this point. We landed in the hanger and set out to look for Gene.
I looked around excitedly “I’ve never seen so many different people!”
“This is actually a really small amount of races… most here are human, except for the occasional Ctarl-Ctarl.” explained Eclair.
She lost me there.
“Ctarl-Ctarl?” I asked, inquisitively.
“Like her…” she said, pointing to a cat type person, sorta like Kairi.
The Ctarl-Ctarl noticed Eclair pointing at her and she looked at us.
“Hey, Ash!” she shouted.
She ran towards us and stopped in front of Ash.
“Aha, I knew it was you!” she said, smiling. “Eclair and Lumiere too!”
“Hey Aisha… how is everyone?” Ash asked, smiling too.
“Great!” she looked around. “Uh… I think Jim was just here.”
Jim came around the corner, talking to Gene, Melfina and Sazuka following behind them.
“I’m telling you, she’s crazy!” Jim was saying. “She just took off.”
Gene laughed “Wonder what she ran up here about.”
They stopped behind Aisha.
“Ash?!” Gene and Jim shouted, surprised.
He waved “Hey guys, long time no see.”
Gene was 23 now; he was only 17 when they first flew to find the Galactic Layline. Jim is 18 now… he was only 12 when they left! Melfina is an android so… she doesn’t have an age but she looked 17 to me. Sazuka… she remains disclosed about her age to this day. That leaves us with Aisha, who seems to be about Gene’s age.
“Hey we’re here too!” said Eclair.
“Hello Jim… Gene.” Lumiere said, bowing a bit.
“Hey Lumiere good to see you again,” Jim said, smiling “You too Eclair.”
“So Ash you traveling around with these ladies now?” asked Gene.
“Heh… more like they abducted me to come see you.” he said, smiling.
“Who’s the lovely young lady next to you Ash?”
“This is Krystal!”
“Nice to meet you,” I said, nodding to them.
“Well, why are we talking here?” said Jim “Let’s go back to our place and talk!”

They took us a large house, and we went inside.
“No way… this is YOUR house?” Ash said, amazed.
“Well, all of us live here. We also met your other friends we heard of… you know Ryoko, Ayeka and them. Well, they live next to us.”
“Heh… so this is where Tenchi left them.”
I’m not talking very much huh? Weird…
“Will you two stop fighting!” a girl shouted from behind them.
“You keep outta this Sasami!” Ryoko and Ayeka shouted back.
We turned and looked at them.
“Ash, Eclair, Lumiere!?” all three of them shouted, running towards us.
“Ash it’s good to see you again!”
He stared at them wide-eyed “No, jump on her!” he said pointing at Eclair.
“Who me?! No jump on him!” she said, pointing back at Ash.
Sasami hugged Ash and the others stopped behind her.
“Ah, ok let go!” he said, laughing.
He glared at Eclair “You and your persuasiveness…”
“What brings you back Ash?” asked Ayeka.
“Nothing much… just visiting Gene.”
Ryoko looked over at me and said “Hey, who’s the new girl?”
I have a name you know!
“My name’s Krystal… and Ash’s my husband.”
So it’d be great if you’d get off of him. I thought.
“No way… You’re married?” said Gene.
“Congratulations Ash!” said Sasami.
“Husband?” asked Melfina and then turned to Ash. “No offense, Ash, but you never struck me as the type that would marry so soon.”
“Heh… I get that a lot.”
“So Ash…” Eclair started.
“Yeah?” he asked in reply.
“Who were those people you were with? You know the guy and girl with dog ears and that one girl with black hair?”
Ash and I looked at each other quickly and he gulped.
“Oh man… Inuyasha’s going to kill us.” I said.
He smiled nervously “Maybe if we stay away for a while he’ll forget about it…”
“That’s your plan?”
He nodded and I said “Yup… we’re doomed.”
“Uh… I got another idea… why don’t we go back.” he said, looking at everyone and then back at me. “We did just come to say hi… and maybe you guys can come back with us!”
Gene nodded and said “Sure, we’re just wasting our lives away here anyways.”
“We’ll come too!” said Sasami. “It’ll be nice to be back on Earth and see Tenchi.”

We headed back to the ship, Ash, Eclair, Lumiere, and I rode the La Muse, Gene and the others went in the Outlaw Star, and Ryoko and her group went in Ry-Oh-Oki in spaceship form. One minute she’s a cat, then a girl, then a ship for goodness sake! Well… one of our ships didn’t get too friendly a reception on the way there. We were shot at and I giant explosion shot us apart.
“What the hell?!” Ash shouted, hitting the communicator. “Gene, this a friend of yours?”
“Not me… How about you, Ryoko?” Gene replied.
“I didn’t do anything to anyone… today.”
“Well get ready for a rough landing!”
We hit Earth and, as far as I know, we were all knocked out.
“Shugo what are you planning to do!?” a girl was saying.
“Rena, calm down… we have to help them.” said Shugo.
“I think that game went to your head…”
“Heh… I don’t see any other reason, but we might as well make use of it.”
I opened my eyes slowly.
“What happened?” I asked slowly.
“Hey you’re alive!” said Shugo.
Well, he didn’t hesitate to tell me what all happened. Shugo had Blue hair and wore an orange outfit. His sister, Rena, had pink hair and wore a purple outfit which, Shugo pointed out, was pretty skimpy.
“Shugo! I told you it’s what the character BlackRose wore… and besides I think it’s cute.”
“Hmph… you’re lucky I’m not telling mom.”
“Why are you both dressed so weird?”
“See, we play this game called ‘The World’. “ Rena explained. “Ever hear of it?”
“Of course!” I said quickly. “Now that you mention it you look like two of the people from the party called the ‘.hackers’.”
“Heh yup. Rena here won that contest to get their character models.” said Shugo.
“Anyway…” Rena continued “Something in the game went wrong and we woke up with these on and all the magic and things from the game!”
“That’s basically it…” said Shugo.
“Interesting…” I said, slowly.
And yes… I actually understood all of this.
“You look like you have a better story to tell though…”
“Krystal.” I said, nodding.
So I explained our situation, mentioning all the names I could remember since Ash and I met. He knows a ton of people, you know!
“There they are!” said a girl, running over to us.
“Mereille!” said Shugo.
Mereille was about a year younger than Shugo and Rena (to me at least). She was wearing a white suit-type thing, and a matching hat. I assumed she had the same thing happen to her that happened to Shugo and Rena.
“Ow… that was different.” said Ash, getting up slowly. “Mistral, Kite, BlackRose? …I musta hit my head or something…”
He looked at Mereille then at Shugo and finally Rena.
“Um… no Ash this is Mereille, Shugo and Rena.” I explained.
“Hey Shugo where’d you get those clothes?” Ash asked.
“We won the .hacker characters from that contest not too long ago.” said Rena.
“Heh you don’t say… those were some fun times.”
“What do you…?” she started.
“Hey Mereille, don’t go running off like that!” said a girl, followed by another girl.
“Ohka and Hotaru! I’m glad you guys caught up.” she replied.
“Wait a minute,” Ash said “You’re ‘Divine Fist’ Ohka?”
“Uh… yeah, do I know you?”
“Not personally, but have you heard of a Ceria?”
“Of course!” said Mereille “Ceria of the Aureate Earth and AviVegh of the Aureate Moon!”
“Uh… What are you talking about…?” asked Shugo.
“You know about Balmung of the Azure Sky and Orca of the Azure Sea… Well, Ceria of the Aureate Earth and AviVegh of the Aureate Moon came before them.”
And this… is where they lost me.
“Each class has their own most famous players: Orca and Balmung for Blademasters, Kite and Ceria for Twin Blades, AviVegh for Wavemasters, and Ohka for Martial Artists to name a few.” Mereille continued “So you’re saying you were Ceria?”
“Yup, that’s me!”
“What? I never knew you played ‘The World’ Ash.” I said.
“Yup… it was interesting with Kite. So as you’re probably thinking, I was part of the .hackers too. Avi had left at that time… but, no matter what you heard about us, there were three key players in the .hackers… those were Kite, BlackRose, and Mistral, which all three of you look like. Mereille I’m assuming you’re Mistral’s daughter.”
“No way… mom was part of the .hackers?”
“I assume so… it’s a pretty unique character model, just like Kite’s and BlackRose’s. All of those were changed since the Twilight.”
“Hey Ceria, how about a fight?” asked Ohka.
“Heh it’s been a while since then… name’s Ash.” he said, nodding “Sure a little sparring wouldn’t hurt.”
He got up and faced Ohka. I’m gonna get descriptive here… let’s see how it works! Ohka ran towards Ash and shot a couple punches at him, which he dodged. The same went for Ash’s turn for punching. Ohka swept her leg under Ash’s feet, but he jumped and kicked at Ohka’s head, which she dodged.
“Not bad Ash.” she said.
“You’re not too bad yourself Ohka…” he said, blocking a few punches.
“Wow, he really is the great Ceria!” said Mereille. “He’s an even match to ‘Divine Fist’ Ohka!”
Ash was blocking the punches and Ohka shot a strong punch into his arms.
He flinched and said “Damn… heh, that hurt.” he said, laughing, and put down his guard.
“You fought well Ash,” Ohka said, out of breath. “Even with out your swords.”
“That was pretty fun.” he said, smiling “You’re worthy of your title.”
“Wow that was amazing!” said Mereille.
“Ash!” said Kagome’s voice.
“Kagome!?” Ash and I shouted.
Inuyasha walked up from behind Kagome.
“Did you forget we have to get Miroku and Sango still!? Stop fooling around!”
“It was her fault!” he said pointing to Eclair. “She abducted us!”
Eclair and Lumiere had been watching the fight and Lumiere laughed.
“Hey, YOU came with us!” Eclair shouted back, pointing.
“We found your friend Gene and the others.” Kagome said “They’re back at the temple.”
“Yeah, so let’s go!” shouted Inuyasha.
“Oh all right…” Ash said.
I turned to Shugo and the others.
“It was nice meeting you.” I said, smiling. “You’re welcome to come with us if you want.”
“I’ll come!” said Mereille. “It’d be nice to stay with the legendary Ceria!”
“I’ll come too… somebody has to keep Mereille away from Ash.” said Ohka.
“I suppose that means we’ll be coming too.” said Hotaru, Shugo and Rena nodding, standing next to her.
So off we went back to Kagome’s!

I yawned… it was a long walk not to mention a long day itself. Ash stared at me and I blushed.
“Why are you staring at me?” I asked, looking away.
“Oh… heh no reason, Sorry.” he said.
We started up the steps towards the house.
“You must be tired Krystal…” Ash said, looking back at me now.
“Well… maybe just a little,” I said, smiling at him. “It’s been a long day… but I can’t sleep now, we have to go get Miroku and Sango.”
“Ok we’ll rest here for the day.” said Inuyasha, and I looked at him.
“Thank you, Inuyasha.”
No reply… that Inuyasha is such a nice guy, even if he tries to hide it.
“Kairi we’re back!” Kagome shouted as we walked inside.
Kairi popped her head around the corner and said “Welcome back! Dinner’s just about ready.”
“You got her to cook dinner for us?” I asked.
“Not only her,” Kagome said, smiling. “Sasami is helping, of course.”
We all had dinner… and I gotta say those two are really good cooks! We all hung around until some of us fell asleep (namely me, I was knocked out right after dinner because I was so tired). The next thing I knew it was morning.
“Ugh… morning comes way too early.” I said, sleepily.
I got out of bed and once again, after a ‘Morning, Krystal.’ from Kairi, had a meal made by the two chefs of the family.
“Morning, Kairi, have you seen Ash lately?”
“Uh… I think he went outside with the boy with blue hair.”
“Hmm… I wonder why?” I said and headed for the door. “Thanks by the way!”
“Ok, one more try. I’m sure Sanjuro was a great teacher, but he’s a Blademaster. It’ll be better to learn from an actual Twin Blade.” Ash was saying.
I leaned against the wall and watched Ash and Shugo. Rena, Mereille, Ohka, Hotaru and Inuyasha were sitting not too far away from them watching also.
“Ok… uh… you kinda… spin and shout the name of the technique.” Ash explained. “So try ‘Thunder Coil’.”
“Ok… I’ll try.”
“You can do it Shugo!” said Mereille and Rena.
Shugo shouted ‘Thunder Coil!’, spun around, and lightning formed on his swords.
“Yes, that’s exactly it!” Ash shouted. “Great work.”
One of the swords flew out of Shugo’s hands and impaled the pillar next to me, scaring me half to death.
“Whoa, I’m sorry Krystal!” Shugo said, blushing, running towards me to get his sword.
“Heh… N-no problem, Shugo.” I said, nervously.
“Oh good you’re up!” said Inuyasha, standing up. “We can leave as soon as Kagome gets out here.”
I nodded and Kagome came outside with Kairi and Sasami.
“Tell the same to Gene’s group for me, ok?”
“Sure Kagome, thank you.” she said, bowed and headed back inside.
Kagome smiled at her and turned around.
“Ok, ready Inuyasha.”
We walked over to Inuyasha and the others.
“Hey honey, sleep well?” Ash asked.
“Uh-huh… are Shugo and the others coming along?”
“Yeah… Kairi is also. We’ll have a pretty big group again… not just three.”
“Oh, Yumi! Ash where’d Yumi go?”
“She’s around; actually I think Kairi said she went shopping for them today.”
“Hey, get moving!” said Inuyasha.
“Right, coming.” Ash said, and headed to the well.

“So… why’re we jumping in a well again?” asked Shugo.
“Heh, why not try and find out.” said Kagome.
So we went in the well one by one.
“See I told you, we’re just at the bottom.” said Shugo.
“Look it’s the sky!” said Hotaru. “We’re outside.”
We got out of the well and Shugo and the others looked around.
“Oh… this must be an ultra rare teleporting well!” said Mereille “I want it!”
Ohka grabbed Mereille and dragged her away “I don’t think you can take that Mereille.”
“Oh… come on Ohka… what’s one rare well.” she said, staring at the well, longingly.
“Where are we though?” asked Rena.
“This is the feudal era.” Kagome explained.
“No way… THE Feudal Era?!” said Mereille.
Kagome nodded.
“Please, friends of the demon slayer, you must help us!” said a man, running towards us. “Our castle is under attack by a horrible demon and we can not seem to find the demon slayer anywhere.”
We accepted and headed, with the man, towards the castle.
“Ok… we’ll head in when we get there.” said Ash. “I want you to stay outside, Krystal.”
“What why?!” I said, turning towards him. “You said you’d let me fight, and that’s what I want to do!”
“Kairi we need you to head to a village and get us some supplies.” Kagome was saying.
“Is that what you guys do? Just get rid of the people that can’t fight when danger comes?!” I shouted.
“We don’t know what’s waiting for us… we can’t take any chances.”
We stopped outside of the castle; Kari had already gone off for the supplies.
“I’m coming in…. whether you like it or not.” I said, stubbornly.
“No, it’s too dangerous.”
“But Ash…” I started but he kissed me and I went quiet.
I looked up at him, surprised. They headed inside.
“I mean it… stay here, for my sake.” he said, and nodded.

The castle doors were closed and I walked over to them.
“It’s no use… it’s locked.” I said, and sat down by the door.
It felt like a lifetime waiting for them. Then I heard a rustle in the bushes. My gaze shot towards it.
“K-Kairi, is that you?”
“Oh no, little girl, I’m afraid your friends had the correct intentions…” a voice said “but they have placed you in the wrong place.”
A large demon stepped out of the darkness. I stood up quickly and backed away. I looked behind me and another demon appeared there. It seemed hopeless; many more demons were appearing, surrounding me.
“So… how shall we eat this one?” one said.
I looked around and whispered “Ash… Inuyasha… anyone?”
“No one can help you now… little girl… they are locked in the castle.” the demon grinned. “By the time they figure out it is empty, it will be too late.”
Well… I thought I got my wish huh? I’d have to fight and hope that I’d learned enough from Goku.
“Ash, Inuyasha!” I shouted “I need help!”
Apparently, I didn’t have much confidence in myself… I heard someone try to open the castle doors.
“Krystal, what’s wrong?!” Inuyasha’s voice came. “The doors are locked!”
“Inuyasha, help me, please… I can’t fight them all.” I said, hopelessly.
“Krystal! Open the doors!” said Ash.
“I-I can’t… they won’t open.”
“Dammit, hold on Krystal! We’ll try to find a way out.”
That restored some of my hopes… but it just made the demons move in closer. One ran towards me but I punched it square in the face. My hopes rose. Maybe I can actually do this! Of course that didn’t last long… a demon carrying a sword stepped in front of the others.
“Don’t think you’re getting away that easily.” he hissed and threw the sword at me.
I didn’t move away fast enough and the sword hit my left arm. The hopes sunk again, what was I supposed to do with only one good arm? The demon flew forward at me, I ducked out of the way, and he smashed into the wall. Someone or something touched my shoulder.
“Hey we’re not going to get through this if you’re just running.” said Kairi.
“Kairi, I’m so glad to see you.” I said, nearly crying.
She smiled at me “Nice to see you too Krystal, but let’s focus here.”
“Uh… right!” I said, standing up. “I never knew you could fight.”
The demons started in towards us and Kairi pulled out her katanas.
“Sure I can, because-“ She said, kicking one of the demons backwards into some of the others and slashing another demon’s throat “-you won’t live very long in this time without learning to fight.”
With Kairi here it was much easier to fight the at least twenty demons that surrounded us. A demon ran towards Kairi but she spun away from it and elbowed it in the neck, then it fell to the ground. She spun once more and impaled the demon behind her through the chest.
“How, if you could fight, did you get that badly hurt?” I asked, punching a few of the demons myself.
“Lemme tell you, if your home of over one hundred and fifty people can’t kill something, you don’t stand much of a chance by yourself.”
When all of the demons had either fled or died, I leaned against the wall and slid down to the ground.
I let out a long sigh and Kairi laughed “Pretty exhausting huh?” she said, smiling, putting away her katanas.
“You’re not kidding… thank you Kairi.” I looked down “Without you I would have died for sure.”
She sat next to me and smiled “Hey a debt repaid…” she said, happily.
I nodded and we sat there a good while before we remembered Ash and the others.
“Oh… we forgot about Ash and Inuyasha.” Kairi said, standing up slowly.
She held out her hand and helped me up.
“Ok there has to be a switch or something around here that opens the gate.”
We looked around the castle, on the walls, in the bushes and on the ground.
“I found it!” I said, and pushed the lever hidden on the side of the castle.
The doors swung open and the others rushed out.
“W-what happened here?” Inuyasha said, looking at the dead demons.
I started around the castle and Kairi said “All right she must have found the switch.”
“You mean you and Krystal did this by yourselves?” Ash asked, surprised.
“Yup, yup, you’re lucky Kairi got here in time.” I said, stopping in front of them.
“Krystal… I’m sorry I just didn’t want you to get killed.” Ash said.
“It’s ok Ash… I got my fight, but I think I’ll sit the next couple out.”

As you may have guessed, the fight wasn’t over yet. The large demon got up carrying its sword, and held it up to my neck.
“We’re not done here.” it said.
“Krystal!” Kairi shouted. “Let go of her.”
He turned me around so he could look me in the eyes.
“You, little girl, have caused us too much trouble for your own good.” he said, and cut the side of my head, and blood ran down my cheek. “But you will still be eaten.” he finished and licked the blood off my face.
“Get off of her, dammit!” Ash shouted.
I turned my head towards Ash who was clenching his fist.
“Stay there, boy, or I’ll kill her now.” the demon hissed in reply.
This next part is something I would not advise trying. The demon grinned at me and leaned his head forward, teeth barred. An arrow shot through the demons head, splattering its blood on my face, and stopped within two inches of my face. The demon fell forward and I slid to a sitting position on the ground. I looked up and saw Arli holding a bow.
“Oh my God… Krystal I didn’t hit you did I?!” she said and knelt in front of me wiping some of the blood off my face.
I leaned back and wiped some off of my cheek “Arli… what’re you doing here?”
She sat in front of me and smiled. “We met Kairi in one of the towns… looks like we came in the nick of time.”
“We… what do you mean ‘we’?”
She motioned behind her to where Bry, Mall and some others were running towards us. They were all wearing strange clothes. Bry was wearing some dark purple armor and a helmet and a polearm on his back, Raiden flying next to him. Mall was wearing a black robe, balloon pants (as she calls them), gloves and hat, and had a staff with a black ball on the top on her back. The cat girl standing next to her wore silver and gold armor, and had a large sword at one hip and a small dagger-like sword on the other. The taller boy wore white armor and had a sword on one hip and an axe on the other. The last boy was wearing an orange shirt, pants, and gloves. Then I noticed that Arli was also dressed strangely. She wore a blue shirt, brown shorts, boots and a blue hat with a feather in it; on her back was a bow and arrows.
“Um… why’re you dressed so strangely?” I asked.
“It’s Artifact Armor.” Ash said, behind me.
I turned my head quickly to look at him and some blood fell from my hair and landed on the ground.
“At least I think so… I’ve heard of it.”
Bry nodded and Arli said “Yeah… it’s awarded to people that are experts in their class. The one B’s wearing is for Dragoons, I’m wearing the ones for Rangers, and Mall’s wearing the ones for Black Mages. Ryo,” she said, looking at the cat girl “is just plain wearing rare armor.” she smiled at Ryo who smiled back. “Zeph,” she said looking at the taller boy “is wearing the armor for Paladins. Finally, Ende is wearing the ones for Monks.” she finished, with the last boy. “We’ve all been busy training.”
“I’m glad you got here when you did Arli…” I said, smiling.
“I’m just sorry you got bloody from that arrow Krystal.”
“We’re lucky that’s the only thing that happened.” Ash said.
“You’re right, dad.” she said, looking at him. “Sorry about…”
My head cocked at Arli whose eyes went wide and she looked away, blushing quite a bit. Bry’s eyes went from her to Ash, eyes just as wide as Arli’s.
“Dad huh?” I said, quietly “What was that supposed to mean?”
I looked at Arli who blushed even more.
“I-I… didn’t mean to… say that.” she said, quietly.
“You know… people that aren’t related usually call the husband or wife’s parents ‘Dad’ and ‘Mom’ when they’re married…”
This made Arli blush even more than she had been.
“You don’t have to hide it… I can’t think of anyone else that I could trust with Bry.”
She looked up at me, still blushing, and smiled “You mean it?”
I nodded “Of course… this was bound to happen anyway.” I said smiling.
She shot into my arms and hugged me.
“Thank you… I didn’t know if you’d approve.” she said.
I thought of what I said to Yumi… but this was different. I had no parents to ask anymore, Ash only had his mom. Arli had both of us to ask when all I had to rely on was what Yumi would say.
“You’re both old enough… It’s your life; you can do what you want with it.”
She nodded and we got up.
“Well… I think you need a bath Krystal… you’re covered in blood.” said Kagome.
“Oh yeah… sorry about that.” said Arli.
“Should I just head back?” I asked.
“I think we’ll come along,” said Ash “I think we need to train more.” he said, looking at Shugo.
So that was my first fighting experience… which I had expected to be bloody, sure, but not after the battle was over. I think my friendships with Arli and Kairi strengthened though. It’s a good thing Kagome suggested taking a bath… having your face and hair covered with blood isn’t exactly flattering, not to mention, just plain freaky.

Kairi’s ears lowered. Ash must have noticed too; he walked over to her.
“Everything ok, Kairi?” he asked.
She shook her head “I don’t know… I just have a feeling that something’s out there, watching us.”
Boy was she right. An arrow shot out from the trees and hit me in the right shoulder.
“Krystal!” Ash shouted and ran over to me.
I staggered backwards into his arms. Arliss whirled around, bow in hand, and shot an arrow into the trees. A demon fell out of the trees and hit the ground, an arrow skewering its heart.
My eyes half-closed “Why’re they trying to kill me?” I asked, rhetorically.
I went limp and Ash shouted “We have to get her back to rest!” … “Hold on Krystal…”
With that I passed out…

I heard from someone, I’m not saying who… this’ll be a little secret, which is Kairi and Ash kissed while I was asleep. I couldn’t believe that Kairi would do something like that. I decided to mention something at dinner, hoping to get Kairi to talk to me.
“So Ash…” I started, calmly “help any stray cats lately.”
I tried to get her angry enough to talk some sense into me and explain this whole ordeal.
“Krystal… I…” she started.
I stood up quickly and looked at Ash.
“I can’t believe you’d do something like this!”
I headed for the door and Ash got up.
“Krystal… hold on.” he said.
“No, just back off and let me think!” I shouted and headed outside.
I sat at the bottom of the steps waiting to see if my plan would work and sure enough…
“Krystal, can I talk to you?” Kairi asked, behind me.
“Hmph… what do YOU want?” I asked; again trying to make her mad enough to tell me what happened.
“I-I… just wanted to say… that I’m sorry.”
I looked at her and said “Oh you have huh?”
“I know you two love each other and… I’m not jealous of you for that. I needed to kiss Ash because… I wanted to be able to let you two be together. It would be too hard for me otherwise.”
There was a long pause.
“Tell me Kairi… think Ash kisses well?” I said looking at her.
She blushed and looked at me “W-what?”
I smiled and laughed “Just a yes or no.”
“Uh… I-I guess so. That was my first kiss though.”
“What really?!” I asked, surprised.
“Yes… really.” she said, embarrassed.
And with this we talked for most of the night… it’s strange how anger can turn into happiness with the quick question of ‘Does {name} kiss well?’ Or is it that I’m just really persuasive… you decide!

The next day we all had breakfast prepared by our two chefs.
“This really isn’t working.” said Inuyasha. “We get a bit ahead and then we have somebody injured and we’re right back where we started!”
“Don’t think you’re leaving us out of this Inuyasha… we promised to help and that’s what we’ll do.” I said, stubbornly.
Kairi’s ears perked up again and she smiled.
“I got an idea… why don’t we split up?” she said, looking around. “That way we can look in different places at once.”
“Hmph… at least she comes up with ideas… unlike some people.” Inuyasha said, quietly.
I glared at him and let out a small grunt.
“You need to lighten up Inuyasha.” I said, looking away from him.
“You need to be more serious!” he shouted, jumping up.
“Do I now?!” I shouted, also getting up.
We glared at each other and Ash looked at me nervously.
“Settle down,” he whispered “That’s how Inuyasha always acts. He just doesn’t want you hurt.”
I looked away and sat down, as did Inuyasha.
“Uh… A-as I was saying,” Kairi continued “If we split into groups it would take us less time.”
“I agree with Kairi.” Shugo chimed in.
“Me too, It’ll be much faster.” agreed Kagome.
Kairi smiled and I couldn’t help but smile back at her… she was finally feeling like part of the family. A strange family it is, but a family none-the-less. We all got prepared and came back to figure out the groups.
“Ok… Inuyasha and I can go West.” Kagome said.
“Krystal and I can go East then.” Ash said, nodding.
“We’ll go South!” Mereille said. “Rare items here I come!”
“Ok then I suppose I’ll go North.” said Kairi.
“By yourself?” I asked, concerned.
She nodded “I can handle myself… besides I know a few people that can help.”
“Ok then it’s settled.” said, Inuyasha. “Let’s be on our way. Don’t forget to look for Miroku and Sango out there!”
We nodded and set off towards the well, jumped in and came to the crossroads. We nodded our goodbyes and set off on our greatest, and longest, journey yet.
And this… is where I shall end this tale. I hope you enjoyed my side of the story… don’t listen to what Ash tells you. What’s that you say? I gypped you of an ending? So you think this is the end huh? Well it’s not! This little splitting of the party is just the beginning of more stories. Kairi will make one of her travels and the same goes for Shugo and the others, me included of course. If you care what happens to us, which I know you do, you’d better read them! Goodbye, Au revoir, Adiós, Arrivederci and an infinite number of goodbyes! Until we meet again, my friends. ^_^