Hey! The Rogue Prince here! This is me cleaning up the first 2 chapters of a story I posted 5 years ago and wasn't happy with now. It shouldn't be very different from the original, just a little more cleaned up. Anyhoo, enjoy!

Disclaimer- I don't own Inuyasha.

The Price of Curiosity

Chapter 1: Vampires

It was cloudy, that fateful day. The village was alive with excitement. There was to be a marriage. Since I was the priestess of the village, I was going to wed the two.

The groom was a rich merchants son, who came from a neighboring village so our tiny town was packed with people from all over to wish the couple happiness. Although the father wasn't exactly thrilled with his son marring a poor girl, he couldn't deny that she was a pretty face and would add many healthy grandchildren to the family.

The village was full of dancing and music. Full of vibrant flowers and people in their finest clothing, I hadn't ever seen the village this carefree. Even the cloudy grey clouds seemed pretty, swirling through many shades of grey. Occasionally the sun would peek out of the clouds as if to say hello and then dart back behind. Everything seemed to be going perfectly. Although, the town was full of many people I didn't know, one face stood out. He came to the town unnoticed and wasn't until a few of the local girls found him.

He was a handsome fellow with short black hair and piercing black eyes. The girls thought he was charming and asked him if he wanted to stay for the wedding feast after the ceremony. The stranger smiled and accepted the invitation.

Later on, when it was time for the ceremony, the couple gave their vows and I sealed the pact and bless the two. The village was a rush of emotion. People cheered, laughed and cried. It looked as if this would be an event to remember, but something went horribly wrong. As I finished the ceremony, and the village erupted into cheers, the sky darkened and a light rain began. Then there was a scream.

A woman sitting near to the stranger was screaming and hurriedly scurrying backwards. The stranger was glowing faintly red and his once normal hair fell into long waves that fell down his back. He gave a feral grin.

"Demon!" I yelled, getting his attention as I stepped forwards, notching my bow. "What is your business here?" I carefully observed the man standing before me.

The demon smiled, "Demon? Is that what I am now? I'm here just to wish well the happy couple Priestess." He started to walk towards me with a mocking smile on his face. The remaining townsfolk scattered. I stepped in front of the newlyweds.

"You will not take another step towards these two."

The demon raised an eyebrow, "These two? I was stepping towards you."

"What's your business with me?" The tip of my arrow started to glow with energy.

"So hostile... Pity." He raised a clawed hand, "I need your magic Priestess."

"I do not lend my abilities to demons of your kind."

He gave a bored look, "If I must, I'll take it by force." He inspected one of his claws. He then looked up at me, smiled and said, "Prepare yourself." He then vanished.

I looked frantically around, "Where did he go..." I muttered. Then I realized that the bride and groom were still behind me. The demon could take them hostage. Dammit! "Go!" I pushed them towards a nearby building. The two ran inside. I mentally made a note to try and keep an eye on the villagers. But more importantly, where had the demon gone? While pondering this, my guard dropped for a second and that's all it took.

I felt something grab my wrists, tossing my bow aside and lift me into the air. My eyes widened slightly as I realized what a mistake I had made.

"See, I can easily take what I want." The demon was holding me up. Then he then leaned in close and whispered in my ear, "If you willingly give me your magic, it won't hurt a bit."

"Never." I squirmed and kicked backwards, hoping to break loose. My sudden movement surprised the demon, but not enough to free myself.

"Your attempts are... Entertaining priestess." He laughed softly. "This might hurt, just a bit..." I felt his breath on my neck and I held mine, waiting for him to bite me. But the bite never came.

I fell to the ground as the demon was knocked into a tree. He snarled and started to get back up. I sat there, frazzled. What just happened?

"Shoot him in the heart with one of your arrows." I heard a voice hiss.

I looked around and spotted my bow. Scrambling, I grabbed my bow off the ground and notched an arrow. Everything became unreal, as if time itself had slowed down. I unleashed my arrow, watching it spin and fly, becoming alight with a purple purifying power. The demon's eyes widened as he helplessly watched the violet comet approach.

"NO!" He screamed as the arrow hit with a bright flash. When the light died down, the demon lay still on the ground. Something unusual happened though. The demon started to disintegrate. When he finally disappeared into dust, only two items were left. My broken arrow and a small pink jewel.

"Huh?" I stared in disbelief, "It can't be... The Skikon Jewel." The legendary jewel itself lay in the grass, twinkling as the rain continued to sprinkle, covering everything in a fine mist. The last time I'd heard of it, it was under the guardianship of a priestess by the name of Kikyo.

Now that the demon was gone, I noticed the presence of another. I turned and stared in the direction of the newcomer. This time I would keep my guard up. I had my bow ready for another fight.

"Don't be afraid Priestess. I helped you defeat Desmond." A figure cloaked in the shadows of the trees watched me.

"What do you want."

He indicated towards the jewel, "I hope you will guard that, since the former guardian can't do so anymore."

Keeping my gaze on the new demon arrival, I slowly picked up the jewel. It was warm to the touch, calming almost. I placed it in my pocket, "Why can't the last protector watch over it?"

"As you saw, Desmond had incredible strength. He easily overpowered you the second your guard dropped." I mulled this over. I wondered how I would have faired if I hadn't dropped my guard.

"Why did he have the jewel? He didn't even use it."

"Vampires can't use the Shikon Jewel."

I snorted, "Vampires? Now you're telling me that he's a vampire. That race of demons died out a long time ago."

"Vampires are as real as you and me. The former priestess was temped by the vampire lure of immortality. Desmond didn't try any tricks with you... I wonder what he was up to..." The figured seemed to lose themselves in though.

"Why did he have it if he couldn't use it?"

The cloaked figure shifted. I stiffened but kept my guard up. "The vampires are fighting us demons for our land. They realized if we got a hold of the jewel, we could be a problem. They sent Desmond to go get it and to make a new recruit."

I gave him a confused look. Apparently my shadowed figure was a demon. New recruit though...

"When a vampire bites a human and exchanges blood, they make a new one. But for some reason, when a priest or priestess are bitten, they become a powerful vampire. We believe it's because you already have some control over your magic and it makes you more powerful. That's why Desmond wanted you."

"So, this will make me a target?"

"Yes and when Desmond doesn't return with you and the jewel, they'll send stronger ones after you."

"Wonderful." I start to pace, "Why are you telling me this?"

The shadowed figure shifted again and came out of the shadows. "I'm a half demon. The lands I inherited were slowly being taken over by Desmond. With him out of the way, others will try to take his place. I need the vampires removed."

"Who are you?"

"If you must know, Priestess, my name is Inuyasha." I gave him a look over. His flowing white hair and dog ears gave away what kind of demon he was. His golden eyes almost seemed gentle. He smiled, "I hope we can work together Priestess, or do you prefer your name, Kagome..."

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So? What did you think? They're a bit out of character but they work! Should I continue this? Do you like the plot? Let me know! Review!