Hello there readers! Welcome to my first chapter of what I hope to be a decent length Inuyasha fanfiction. My name is Alyssa, 'Lyssa for short. I would like to start of by saying thank you for taking the time to take a peek at this story, whether it by accident or choice. It has been quite some time since I have written a fanfiction, and I hope it will peak your interest enough to keep reading. Anyway, on to the story, shall we?

Disclaimer; I do not, nor will I ever, own Inuyasha. It is owned in it's entirety by Rumiko Takahashi.

-Chapter One-

The Beginning of the End

It was a beautiful day at the Higurashi Shrine, not to hot but not to cold either. A young woman is sitting beneath the giant Goshinboku which seemingly over looked the shrine. The woman had raven hair, dark chocolate brown eyes, and most strikingly was her very pronounced stomach protruding from beneath her shirt. She was near the end of her pregnancy, from which she would give birth to her second child; a son. She hummed, running her fingers across her tummy for a few moments until her peace was interrupted by bursts of giggles heading in her direction.

A girl, no more than six or seven, with uncanny similarity to her mother, aside from her lighter brown eyes and longer hair, came bounding towards the woman.

"Mommy, Mommy!" she squealed, before her tiny foot caught edge of a stump and she came tumbling forward into the grass and landing in front of the woman's feet all the while still giggling. "Mommy, look what papa gave me!" the child held up a small pink colored orb that the clung to the end of the key chain.

"I see, Kagome. It's very pretty, just like you." Her mother clasped her arms around her young daughter, pulling her into the remainder of her free lap space. "Do you know what that is, Kagome?" Kagome shook her head, a toothy smile spread across her features.

"What is it mommy? Huh? What is it?" the girl bounced around on her mothers lap, and her mother chuckled holding the child still.

"The Shikon-no-tama" her mother pronounced the words slowly so her child could attempt to repeat them back to her.

"Shikon-no-tama" Kagome repeated the words. Her eyes glistened with curiosity. The woman beamed at her daughter, and shook her head in affirmation.

"The Shikon-no-tama, or Jewel of Four Souls, was formed long before my time, or even grandpas for that matter-"the woman paused noticing a flicker of astonishment flash across Kagome's features. She continued on with her story, and he fingers danced through the girl's mess of curls. "It was brought into this world from a battle of good verses evil. Long ago, there lived a priestess Midoriko. She had amazing spiritual abilities, and she was high rank in honor and revered by the villagers she protected as a saint. However, many demons and even humans sought to end Midoriko. That is how the Shikon-no-tama came to be. It is said she was in the midst of a ferocious fight with a demon, and in the fight she sealed their powers within the jewel. Her own powers would continue to overcome the powers of the demon as long as it stayed protected by other priests and priestess whom were good of heart. However, if it fell into the wrong hands, evil would overcome and take over the lands. So it is said, that in order to protect the jewel the priestess left to protect it burned it with her body after death in order to seal its' power. Since then, the jewel has disappeared. It only remains in our world through legend, and of course, key chains like yours Kagome."

Kagome sat there awestruck and looking at her mother. "Mommy, one day can I be a priestess?" She grinned that toothy smile again and her mother started to chuckle. However, the light hearted mood between mother and daughter slowly vanished as her mothers laughter turned to sharp intakes of breath. "Mommy," Kagome's eyes widened, looking to her mothers lap which had a large blood stain seeping across it. Kagome's mother took another sharp intake of breath her hand grasping her stomach.

"Kagome, hurry and get grandpa." Kagome hesitated at first tears welling at the corner of her eyes before bolting in the direction of the store house where her grandfather was working.

Everything happened so fast. They did everything they could, and soon her little brother named Souta was born. Her mother panted heavily in the back of the ambulance that had been called, and in which she gave birth. She smiled and cradled her baby boy for the first and last time. Soon the seizures started. Kagome was escorted away by a fireman as soon as her mother's body started thrashing about. It was the beginning to the end of everything Kagome had come to know. All she can remember is crying and screaming for her mother. Her little brother lay helpless in the arms of a nurse, and her mother lay there motionless in the back of the ambulance.

Kagome shot straight up in bed her heading bumping against the bunk bed above her own. "Damn, that hurt!" She exclaimed quietly while rubbing the lump forming at the back of her skull.

"Hey, if you're going to be clambering about, could you do it a little quieter please." The voice above her came from her agitated bunk mate Cirenne.

"Well, someone is a tad bit grouchy." Kagome said standing from her bed to stretch out her exhausted limbs.

"Yeah, well, you would be too if you had to listen to you thrashing about all night. What was it you were yammering about anyway?" The amabie youkai snickered peering over the edge just in time to have Kagome's shirt flung across her face.

"Watch it fish girl. I've got a bucket of water with your name on it." Kagome snapped quickly pulling on a button up plaid flannel top, along with black leggings and a pair of her favorite buckle cognac ankle boots. Her roommate merely scoffed and rolled over. Kagome kept a firm eye on the ground, deep in her own thoughts as she brushed her hair.

"Okay, Kagome. You can do this. It's just a new school. You're bubbly. You're fun. It'll all be okay." Kagome flicked her bag over her shoulder just as she heard a young male voice call for her down stairs.

"Kagome, come on! Kaede made muffins!" She smiled briefly, but her eyes held a glint of fear as she started her day. That was one hell of a dream…I haven't had that kind of flash back in a long time. Kagome huffed and opened the door to head down stairs but was stopped by Cirenne.

"Have a good day, Miko. You'll do great" Her room mate called out, sensing Kagome's anxiety.

"Thanks Cirenee" Kagome felt a wave of sudden relief wash over her. When she arrived down stairs she was ambushed by a young boy with fluffy chestnut colored hair, and an even fluffier tail the same color. He was about the height of Kagome, and had sparkling blue eyes. Kagome grinned and wrapped him in a hug. "Hey Shippou-Kun!" She kissed him on the cheek, while simultaneously grabbing a chocolate chip muffin from the stove stop. He blushed a marvelous shade of pink.

"Good morning, Kagome-sama." He grinned happily at her. Kagome, however, looked around the table displeased to see her little brother Souta was not present.

"Hey, Shippou?" She raised an eyebrow at the kitsune, but before she could finish her question the missing brother bounded down the stairs, a barrage of nerf bullets following him. She sighed and narrowed her eyes.

"Souta Higurashi!" She snapped at her 11 year old brother and he froze chuckling as he attempted to hide the nerf gun behind his back. "You do realize it's almost time for both of us to be at school and yet here you are goofing around with Makoto." Souta hung his head and passed the gun to Makoto who was ushered upstairs by the house mother Kaede. "Ye must not be so hard on him Kagome. He is after all just a boy." Kagome sighed nodding in understanding and pulled Souta into a hug and ruffled his hair.

"You're lucky this time, brat." Souta laughed and Kagome joined in looking around the house at the mess of teens and children running around. This had been Kagome's home ever since she could remember. Her grandfather had passed away shortly after Souta had turned six. Kagome was a mere twelve years old as well. They had no one left, except for the lonely old priestess who stayed also on the shrine grounds as a cleaning woman, Kaede. She was all they had left when child services threatened to rip the small family apart. So Kaede did only what she knew she could. She took them in, and she rented a small two story home.

Over time, Kaede realized both Kagome and Souta possessed spiritual abilities beyond their understanding. It was then that she decided to make her home a sanctuary for anyone lost and needing of a place to stay who possessed of these powers. Her open home brought in demons, half-demons, and monks and priestesses alike who all had been orphaned. Before anyone knew it, they were a family, and they would remain so.

Kagome grabbed Souta and Shippou by the hand dragging the fifteen year old and eleven year old outside. "Come on, kiddos we are going to have to run if we want to make it on time!" Her words were met with a chorus of groans and 'I don't want to's. Kagome sighed, "Come on you big sissies kick those buns into gear!" she shouted out as they took off down the street toward their new school, Bushido High School and Kihon Middle School.

Finally, Kagome thought exasperated. She had long since dropped Souta off at Kihon and with Shippou on her tail they had finally arrived at Bushido High ten minutes after class was to start. She burst into the principles office only to be greeted by a chirpy young woman at the front desk.

"Hello! How may I help you?" She grinned at Kagome and Shippou. "Oh! So, sorry my name is Rin Makamatoi. I'm a junior here at Bushido. Are you here to retrieve your schedules?"

"Yes! Sorry, we don't mean to be rude. My name is Kagome Higurashi, and this is Shippou Tanuki. He is a freshman, and I'm a junior as well." Kagome smiled at the girl. She couldn't help but feel at peace near her. The girl walked over to the printer to grab their schedules. She handed it to them happily.

"Kagome, you're first class is The History of Japan, with Sensai Totosai. He's very kind so I'm sure he won't mind you being so late. Shippou however…you have Sensai Kiyu for Battle Techniques, and he is quite the stickler!" She giggled as Kagome stuck her tongue out at Shippou who frowned immensely before darting out to find his class. "Room 287, Shippou!" She called after him. "Poor kid" she muttered. Kagome and Rin burst into fits of laughter.

"Thanks a ton, Rin! I'll see you around?" Kagome hoped she had just successfully made her first new friend at Bushido.

"Absolutely!" Rin smiled and Kagome too ran off to find her class. She jogged down the hallways scanning each door room number. Room 145…151…Aha! Room 159! Kagome triumphantly walked into the room only to be greeted by stares as she had interrupted the first lecture of the year. Kagome chuckled nervously.

"You must be Ms. Higurashi. Is that correct?" Totosai squinted at her through narrow glasses. Kagome nodded and he gestured for her to introduce her self. Kagome could feel her spiritual power pulse as she locked eyes with a few unfriendly looking youkai.

"Uh, hello. My name is Kagome Higurashi. I'm seventeen years old, and I moved her from DaiTayre School for girls. "Kagome sighed thinking that was all.

"Ah, and you are a priestess yes?" Totosai squinted again, looking her over. Kagome nodded gulping. "Ah yes, take a seat next to…" he paused scratching his head "Miroku". She could see the young man with slicked black hair and piercing violet blue eyes mentally cheer from the look in his eyes. She could tell from his aura that he was indeed a monk. She felt a blush spread across her cheeks.

Kagome quietly obliged and took her seat. "Oh, and Ms. Higurashi?" Totosai said his focus still on the chalk board," do not make a habit out of being late for my class." Kagome sighed sinking in her chair.

"Yes Totosai." She muttered something under her breath, and before she knew it she felt a certain monk' hand twitching over her bum. Kagome's body tensed and she felt her aura surge forward. She instinctively retracted her own hand letting it fly with such a great force that when it contacted his face the sounded echoed over Totosai's teachings. The entire class turned to look at the two. Miroku was twitching on the ground. His face covered with a bright red hand mark, and Kagome was twitching with anger holding her now sore hand.

The first noise from the class room was the unforgettable howling of a wolf demon, with long brown hair pulled into a pony tail. "Oh shit, Miroku! I knew someone would give you what you deserve one day, but oh man!" He continued to double over with laughter which was shortly joined by everyone but Kagome, Miroku and Totosai who promptly sent her into the hall to think over her actions. Rin was right; the guy is a big softie. Kagome snickered at the thought of that lecher Miroku still on the ground.

Her laughter and alone time was interrupted by the stare boring a hole into her head. Kagome looked to her left to see a young woman her age seated against the wall as well. She has long hair that was tied to the side with a pink ribbon. Her face had distinct soft but fierce features. She grinned at Kagome, and Kagome returned the grin.

"Hi, I'm Sango." The woman greeted her by jumping up to sit next to her. She stuck out a hand, and Kagome took it. "What are you out here for? Aren't you new? I've never seen you before? Are you a priestess? Sorry, dumb questions! Of course you are! I can sense your aura." Kagome laughed at her questions.

"You're hunch is right. I am a priestess. I'm Kagome; also I'm out here because some lecher thought it'd be a good idea to grope my ass in the middle of class." Kagome huffed out the last part, and Sango narrowed her eyes.

"Miroku?" She raised an eyebrow at Kagome. Kagome just snickered.

"I take it he makes a habit out of harassing young new women?" Sango laughed and nodded before doing her best Totosai impression.

"Ah, yes Ms. Kagome you would be correct." This sent the two into a fit of laughter.

"How long have you been practicing that one?" Kagome asked. Sango shrugged smiling brightly before standing to help Kagome up. "Thanks; so, why were you out here?" Sango once again shrugged.

"I was ditching first period. Art class is a bore. How about I give my new best friend Kagome a tour of this hell hole?" Sango grinned widely grabbing Kagome's hand and dragging her down the hallway. She struggled to keep up with the girl, having let her hand fall from her grip long ago.

"Sango, aren't you afraid of getting caught? I mean-"Kagome was cut of by a hard thud as she ran smack dab into the corner of a wall.

"Kagome, I thought I said to keep up!" Sango called from down the hall until she realized her friend didn't respond. Sango rounded the corner to see Kagome on the ground.

Kagome groaned internally. She could hear voices and multiple scoffs from what sounded like a male voice. Her eyes fluttered open to see a boy no more than a year older than herself sitting cross legged next to her, while a fuming Sango interrogated him of his intentions. Oh geez, she's already acting like my mom. Kagome chuckled at the thought and the bickering subsided as the two glanced at her.

"Keh, I told you she wasn't dead" The male voice spoke. His voice was smooth but gruff at the same time.

"Yeah, well I'm still not fully convinced that you weren't trying to take full advantage of the situation." Sango fumed. The young man sulked over disappointed his friend wouldn't believe his tale. It was then that Kagome noticed his cute fluffy dog ears. She mentally squealed at the thought and out stretched her hand to tug him down by one, tweaking it between thumb and index finger. The male looked down at her incredulously but internally his insides hummed at the feeling. Her hands are so soft…he thought. He scoffed out loud pulling away.

"Oi, wench! Let go of my ear!"

Kagome suddenly realized what she was doing, and she sat up straight to soon getting dizzy. The male caught her. His claws tickled her back, and he inhaled her scent. She smells so sweet… He snapped himself out of it. "Get it together Inuyasha" he accidentally spoke out loud gaining both the semi conscious priestesses and Sango's attention. Kagome mentally sighed looking between the obvious half-demon named Inuyasha and her new friend Sango

It isn't even second period yet! She thought. This is going to be one hell of a day.

So, Authors Note Time: . . Do NOT give up on this story. I realize that this is a weird place to end, but the next chapter will be filled with way more things!

Another thing; Some of you may be confused by the room mate Cirenne. Her name is to copy the word Siren. She is an Amiabe, or water demon. Basically, a mermaid who can use spells to keep her self on land unless she comes in contact with water in any other form except drinking water.

I chose the word Bushido for two reasons. 1: The high school name Shikon, is over done. 2. They are in a school for training of demons, monks, and priestesses. Bushido, means way of the warrior. Get it?

I also chose Kihon as the name of the middle school because it means "basics". Seeing as they are learning the basics of fighting. It is a school much like the high school, except it is smaller for younger kids and less intense.

Anyway, keep an eye out for Naraku and such!

Ja Ne!

Lyssa.