In the world five hundred years later, Kagome was just an ordinary junior high school girl, and her family's Higurashi Shrine was ordinary too. The only unusual things about it were perhaps the Sacred Tree, an ancient tree over a thousand years old, and a weathered old well hidden away on the grounds.
But something truly extraordinary happened on Kagome's fifteenth birthday. While she was looking for Little Fatty, her family's cat, near the old well, a Centipede Monster suddenly sprang out and dragged her down into it. Because of the Shikon Jewel inside her body, the well carried her five hundred years into the past, to the Warring States period. The moment she climbed out, Kagome, who had grown up in a modern world of steel and concrete, was stunned by the lush greenery and fresh air.
In that unfamiliar world, Kagome met the boy she was destined to encounter: Inuyasha, a half-demon with dog ears. That night, the Centipede Hag pursued her and tore open her waist, causing the Shikon Jewel, a treasure of this era, to fall from her body. After swallowing it, the Centipede Hag grew stronger and more vicious. At the critical moment, Kagome pulled out the Sealing Arrow that had held Inuyasha captive for fifty years, releasing the half-demon. Inuyasha killed the Centipede Hag, but Kaede bound him with the Prayer Beads Kikyo had left behind. He could no longer hurt Kagome and could only remain at her side to protect her.
Countless monsters, drawn by the Shikon Jewel, resorted to every trick and ruthless means to seize it. Finally, during the battle against the Corpse-Dancing Crow, Kagome's arrow shattered the jewel, scattering its fragments far and wide. Kagome had no choice but to work together with Inuyasha to gather the Four Souls Shard.