Have you ever had a day where you realized you were a lot smaller than you thought? Where you had your mind set on one thing and then realized that it was stupid and you should get your priorities straight? Or even when your entire life was flipped upside down and you had no idea what to do about it?

Yeah, that was my life in a nutshell. I was one of those people who had a simple life. One that I would wake up, do my routine with the ones who stood by me only to go to go to bed and repeat the process. You know a simple undisturbed life when no one challenged you. The ones you get to see in those cheesy movies where you watch on a weekend alone, eating all the food in your fridge even though you just said you had nothing to eat. You stuff your face than see a crazy wild card of a character and are all like "how can someone survive like that?"

Well that was me. I was that wild card who lived a life so strange that it would only belong in one of those cheesy movies. I would be the character who lives so out there that the viewer would have no idea how to even begin to think of how to live in such a way. I'm getting to ahead of myself though. What was I you ask? Thats where I should start. Thats how they always do.

I was a tribeswoman for a remote group that was untouched by civilization for eternity. That was until other humans found our abandon villages and graves. Digging up our bones and learning our secrets. We were located in the deepest jungles of Africa, never disturbed by anything except the forever looming presence of death. We spoke our own language, had fair skin due to staying under the canopy of trees, and valued our own above any other. Living as a family under our goddess Yama.

I did not have a name at the time. No one did, we just called each other kie in our language it meant human. But later on in the history books you guys call me the Wild Mane, I guess you figured out what I look like even though we had written very little about ourselves. Back then life was perfect to me. Yes we were barbarians who killed off other tribes and ate them to gain their power, but hey it was a long time ago, things like that were common back then.

I was a hunter and I loved it. You could see me riding on the back of my stallion, the biggest meanest horse you would ever see yet under my control. I had my own hunting party that did what I said without question because I was never wrong, I never came back empty handed and I never took more than one shot to make the kill. I was a legend almost, hey they even made a movie about me! Who gets to say that!

I got the best horse, the best equipment, I had just as much influence as our leader and I even had the pick of males in our tribe for no one would ever say no to me. Who wouldn't? I was the strong, the one who would create the best line. My life was unheard of back than, where a woman got to have this kind of power and freedom. I was powerful, and untouchable.

Still can't believe I died when I was so young though. To this day it gives me a shock.

Yeah crazy right? The person that I just told you about was killed. You know that huntress that never wasted a single arrow and is now taught of in history class. Yeah well she was killed. But what can I say, I was stupid. I was riding with my brothers bow in hand as we moved through the trees with ease. Next thing I know a freaking tiger gets me. Pulls the stallion I raised since birth to the ground and my skull cracks against the stone. Too dazed to defend myself the damn thing ends me before my comrades could end it.

They did get the overgrown cat though. I'm serious you can find his pelt in a museum in Europe right now.

So here I am dieing, my stallion screaming in pain which breaks my heart. That was probably the worst thing about it. I was not the only one taken down but a creature who I took too as if my own son was left to suffer as he was crushing me. Yet I still close my eyes. Ready to be taken to my goddess, ready to forever be her huntress and stay by her ever watchful eye.

But instead of being greeted with my fallen brothers, or my parents or even anything that could be seen as Yama I was instead greeted with a blinding light only to find out I was being held by a giant of a man. I was screaming my lungs out, kicking, punching, anything to get away. Let me tell you I was scared. My heart raced like it did when I was still dying. I had no idea where I was or even if I was still me.

But thats just it, I was no longer me. The Wild Mane was gone. Killed almost a hundred years ago and thought of as a relic forever placed in time. The voice that came out of my lungs was not the fierce battle cry Wild Mane gave when about to take down an enemy. It was the newborn scream of Jihiro Yuki. Daughter of Ame a single mother who looked down at the infant with more love than I ever seen.

The next few years were strange to say the least. I had to get used to no longer be able to walk, or even speak. The muscular body I had in my last life was now gone yet I still held all the knowledge of how to use it. No longer did I have to look over my shoulder in fear for my life. Now I had four walls and a roof over my head. I no longer had to hunt, I no longer had to kill. I no longer had to be myself. And that was what ate at my very soul.

Being given another life sounds amazing. But its hell at first. I had to come to terms that I would never get to see life the way I did again. I would no longer ride next to my brothers, I would no longer dance by the fires and drink to my Yama. But what hurt me the most was I would never get to ride with my stallion again. My closest friend who I never even named.

Years passed and I grew to accept that I would have to make the most out of my life. My mother saw a lot in me though. I had to admit she was a smart and beautiful woman. She always noticed that I was stronger than the other kids, my senses were sharper and my mind somehow always picked up on things she wanted to hide from me. I had interests in things she had no idea that I knew about, and I had a way of speaking that made other sound as though they were the children.

If I was given another parent I think I would have taken my own life though. Ame was a special woman who wanted me to try new things. When I was five I asked if I could try out horseback riding, something she was more than happy to agree to. Its still funny thinking about the shock on her face when I took to riding as easily as I did. That was something you never forget, to this day it came as naturally as breathing. So when I asked to take archery when I reached middle school she agreed only to once again be surprised beyond words.

I became one of the girls that was good at the few things she tried yet stayed out of the social circles. I was the leader of the archery club, never missing a target, and never missing a single point. They even said I was inhumane calling me a elf like the one from that book, what was it's name again? Honestly I don't know. Yet no one cared because it made our team is able to go to nationals every year and even place.

I somehow gained the respect of my peers even if I only answered questions with a few short words. I don't know its just always felt weird befriending girls who saw the world as they did. They only had one life and saw it as "who dates who, and who is doing what." While I'm one could be taught telling stories of the huntress and the feeling of taking a life when letting your arrow fly. You have no idea how awkward some things are for me. Especially when the joke came of a guy thinking what human tasted like and me actually knowing the answer. The answer is pork by the way, really gamey pork.

High school is upon me now, and I perfected the art of living as a normal teen. Well as normal as I will allow it. And for once I'm ready for it. I got a new project to work on, a spot reserved in the archery team for my new school and have already been scouted for college because of my skill with a bow. For once I feel as though this time period is my home, and I really don't regret it.

The annoying beeping though is something I will always regret. Pulling the covers off with a groan I slam my hand on the clock silencing the annoying sound before pulling myself from the protesting fabric, don't get me wrong I'm not tired or anything. If you think I'm like the other main characters of these stories who is not a morning person than you have another thing coming. After all Wild Mane would have to wake up before the sun rose...I just really like blankets.

Stretching my limbs and listening to the cracks I began to make my way through my room. It was a good size, large enough for my bed, desk and western saddles. It would have been a normal room if I got rid of the ribbons and trophies. But who would? My room was a rainbow of colors, platinum medals and ribbons half the size of me called high points decorated the walls. Saddles that have the year and competition engraved into the leather lined the dacor. Even a picture of me on the back of Big Red a thoroughbred with my hand pulling a arrow back was framed and on my desk. I think it was taken at a festival a few years ago.

Picking up my brush I began untangling my ebony locks. I can not lie, the hair that belonged to Wild Mane is something I would not wish upon my greatest enemy, I'm grateful for this new appearance. Braiding it into the intricate design passed through my tribe I finished it off with a silver clasp with a center of turquoise. Pulling on my uniform I looked back into the mirror on my wall. Green eyes stared back at me, belonging to a young girl with a muscular form compared to most. Fair skin and dark hair that reached her mid back when braided.

To this day it weirded me out to look at Jihiro Yuki. Green eyes were in the place of piercing gold, pale skin in the place of tanned due to leaving the jungle from time to time, lean muscle took the place of a built woman who could easily take down a man from this time. Than there was the hair, straight black hair that took the place of thick, long curls that would form the body. All in all it was a young teen girl that was beloved by her school that took the place of a feral woman who was respected by her tribe. So different yet the same mind.

I shook my head trying to clear away the thoughts. It was my first day at a new high school why would I taint my mind like that? Grabbing my bag I ran out the door, my feet gliding over the stairs only to see Ame in the living room getting ready for work. "You excited sweety?" She asked as she was putting on her shoes. I nodded my head, "yeah big day, I get to meet the team today." My mother smiled, she was a slightly older woman yet it did not show much, the way her brown eyes were alive with laughter and kindness as her face shown almost no sign of wrinkles. Dressed in her waitress uniform and her hair pulled into a tight bun she still looked as young as when I first met the woman. "Well than show them what you're made of, I know you will be amazing." Giving me a kiss on the head she ushered me out the door, the sun pelting my skin as I waved goodbye to her.

Wow that school is big. I knew it was going to a private school on scholarship alone but Meioh Academy is one powerhouse I would not mess around with. I was originally going to the public school but than this place snacthed me up when I broke the record of student class archer. It was a opportunity I could not refuse but will second guess. The students were bred for success, flashy girls in their identical uniforms trying to pull it off better while friends screamed after not seeing each other for a full two days. Hugging and talking under the cherry trees as they got ready for class.

Than there was me. My hair braided in a fashion most thought was native American. Walking alone with a case that held my bow and quiver, hand carved by yours truly. Lets just say I was the wolf at the world class dog show. Yet I took it in stride, I remember my mother telling me that I had nothing to hide because it was wrong to do so. I was a three time national archery winner and even a second place winner in the junior world championships in hunt seat equitation. Those were titles under my belt that made having 200 numbers in her cell phone look like nothing.

So with my head held high I braved the walk, pushing past the others with the air of authority I had before birth. Ignoring the stares that linger at my back, I spoke not a single word and pushed open the door as the bell rang behind me. The students and teacher turning their gaze as I ducked my head slightly in acknowledgement. "Ah you must be Miss Yuki" said the teacher, an older man with a kind voice yet demner that looked as if it could snap at any notice. "Please introduce yourself to the class."

Nodding my head I walked in, facing the students who will see me for, hopefully the next few years. "My name is Jihiro Yuki, I was brought her to be on the archery team." Nodding his head he seemed to be pleased at my answer, short to the point yet explaining everything needed. "Alright than, why don't you take a seat next to Minamino, Minamino if you would be kind enough to raise your hand."

Looking at a boy with red hair that seemed in perfect form I watched as he raised his hand. His green eyes somehow not matching the kind demeanor that he tried to hold about him. Thank the goddess my instincts never left me cause right now they told me that this boy was one to not mess with.

Nodding I took my seat, hanging my bag as I began to pull out my english book. The subject I was most in tuned to. Listening to the teacher's lesson though I found myself a bit lost. No surpise this school was ahead of it's studies. I felt my hand fly through the pages trying to keep up yet not make sense of the darn thing.

So imagine my god sent as I saw another book out of the corner of my eye, sticky notes listing the pages. Looking over my shoulder to see Minamino with a small smile on his face he only gave a nod. Dipping my head in thanks I took the book, my eyes reading through the pages as my hand wrote what it head, yet not really knowing what they meant. For the amount of concentration I had on the other book I could have written something like. "Humans taste like a ham dinner" without even noticing.

I had to admit though the notes this guy had really were a god sent. The neat letters in both english and Japanese were detailed and got me through the last week with no problem. By the time the bell rung my new notebook was covered in notes and my mind was swirling with the information I had just acquired. Holding out the book to the red head I watched him take it back, a air of ease as he moved. He was a different one I'll give him that. "Thanks" I said standing up as I packed my bag. "Not at all, I know how difficult this class can be if you're even a day behind."

With a nod in agreement I begun to make my way out of the room. Minamino following behind only to be pulled back fairly quickly. Turns out he was like me in a sense. Like my past life he had the choice of the litter, the guy really was popular among the ladies. The way they said his first name as though it were sweet candy that they forever craved. The act made me cringe, brownie points to him for being able to be nice to them and hold a level head.

Turns out me and the red head have three classes together. English, mathematics and gym. though he was in the normal class that got to be in the center as the groups like volleyball and archery were practicing. And could you see me in any other group? Of course not we just met and I'm sure I said Archery at least ten times. What can I say, it was once a way of life now it a sport that consumes said life.

And boy did I have a blast in archery already

dressed with my bow and quiver I was introduced to the class. Rather small yet holding both male and females. The squad leader a tall girl named Takahiro told me to show her what I got. "Alight, then give me full range." I said with a grin. I guess she liked my attitude because she smirked patting me on the shoulder as she called to the other members causing them to fall back. Honestly even with them there I doubt they I would hit them. Friendly fire is something that has yet to happen.

With my bow in hand I felt in control, my feet bare I felt my toes curl into the grass my ears waiting to hear the announcement. I could feel my blood pulsing at the thought of the hunt. Before the first note could even be sounded I took off, my legs were powerful, digging into the grass and kicking up dirt as I took a dive in the same motion I pulled an arrow, duking in the string and pulling back all 75 pounds of force as I let it fly. The sound of the arrow hitting was all I needed before I went to the next and the next. My body always moving as I took target after target.
One meter away, perfect, five easy, ten? Child's play. Targets that whizzed past me were met with the center being splintered. My body twisting as my arm pulled back, my eyes seeing everything in slow motion in such detail that I could see the muscles in my arm tense as they force the string to do their bidding.

With the last arrow in the air I stood up to the sound of clapping. Some of the classmates already pulling out the mini missiles as they made their way to me. Takahiro being the first, a hand on her hip and a nod of the head. "I have to say Yuki, I'm impressed. Where did you learn how to shoot like that?" I only shrugged my shoulders a sloppy grin on my face as my breath was still even. "I was a hunter in my past life." It was the truth yet she laughed, patting me on the shoulder as the others welcomed me with open arms. "You're going to fit in here just find kid." She replied, her voice one of a laid back tomboy.

I smiled at the words, thats what I always wanted, to fit in and belong. Yet having one of the guys hand me my arrows with a smile on his face as the girls spoke in excited words of getting higher marks made me think in agreement. Yes I may be over a hundred years old but I could still relate to theses kids. We all loved the sport, even if for different reasons.

Still can't believe that I had no idea that a certain fox was watching me through the fence. His eyes still calculating what he just witnessed.

My god I love Yu Yu Hakusho!

With ocean racer having 2 chapters at the most left I thought it was time for me to have some fun with a childhood favorite. I fell in love with this show and Kurama was a childhood crush I had before I even knew that you can not date a anime character :Sobs:

Anyway I would love and really appreciate it if I could get feedback on this. This is the first time I wrote a story in first person and I tried to make it sound as real as I could. Dose it sound like a laid back reformed teen is talking? Is it too bulky? Is breaking the fourth wall too much? Please tell me I love constructive criticism and appreciate all ideas given. So please Review

TERMS AND WORDS:

Now I know some of you guys are not horse people so I will have this at the bottom of each chapter that has horse words in them so you can understand what they are so here we go.

Saddle:
The leather seat you put on a horse before riding.

Western Saddle:
Again the leather seat that you use on a horses back. This is the cowboy version of it.

Prize saddle:
In wester competitions first place winners are given western saddles with the competition engraved. Thats why Jihiro has so many.

High point
A kind of ribbon. They are the really really big ones that are colorful and sparkly. You get one at the the end of a competition if between all your shows you have more points than the others. Kind of like the winner of getting the highest score when collecting all the points you get throughout the competition.