Chapter one; With in the Forest of Inuyasha.

"Why? Why does he betray me so?" Kagome sobbed as she clenched her arms together for warmth. She'd been in The Forest of Inuyasha for over two hours contemplating why her life went from wonderfully peaceful to horrid and hard.

Over three years ago a fire was set to the Higurashi shrine. The villagers said that the old priest, Kagome's grandfather, was housing demons that sought out refuge. It wasn't true, though her grandfather and grandmother had told of their parents who were transformed into demons within a castle lying dormant in The Forest of Inuyasha. Her mother had died trying to save her grandparents who wouldn't leave the Shikon no Tama within the burning shrine room. Kagome and her brother Souta were held back by family friends whom were told not to allow the two back in after their loved ones. The fire burned all day and into the night before it was put out. Kagome was the first to find her grandparents and mother. She saw the jewel her grandmother had cherished as a child clenched in her palm.

Kagome thought that what had happened was her fault. It was her birthday the day before, her grandmother; Kaede was going to give the jewel to Kagome but told her that she didn't want the jewel and would never want to take away a precious memory from her. Kaede had insisted but finally gave up. Kagome felt guilt surging within her same delicate frame as she shook with anger at herself and sorrow of Souta and her own loss. That was over three years ago and many of the villagers who'd started the fire begged for forgiveness from Kagome; since Souta was too young to know what had happened she tried to be the motherly figure that they both had lost.

"Oh Souta, why have you been so against me? I love you more than life, yet you treat me as if I were a slave." Kagome sobbed twisting a ring her grandfather gave her. It was suppose to keep her safe from demons in The Forest of Inuyasha and she now believed him. She used to play so close to the forest that her grandfather worried about her safety. He had paid a lot to get the ring but said that she was wild and was bound by her nature to wander in and get lost. She had done just that, this time.

Back at the manor she was housed in, by villagers that were supposedly her mother's friends had taken everything of value from Kagome. Sold everything they could get their greedy hands on. They told Kagome that they had to if they wished to not starve. Kagome believed them, at first, then she'd wake up a few nights one week to see Shiroi her adoptive mother trying to pry the ring and necklace off her body. When Kagome questioned her actions, Shiroi said that she was just going to put them somewhere safe. Kagome refused to live with them after that, so she lived in a small cottage the villagers had made. She couldn't work just yet and soon she had to return to Shiroi and her husband Shishiro.

"Momma! Why'd you have to go in! Why'd grandma and grandpa have to try and save this stupid jewel, if it was only gonna survive!" Kagome sobbed as she shivered. Her dress was not for the cold weather that was fast approaching. She tried to stand but was weak in the knees to. Grabbing the small blanket Souta had with him when the shrine burnt down she tried to get warm. The cold breeze that settled in was not leaving anytime soon and she would surely get hypothermia if she did get shelter and soon.

Making her way to her knees she heard a crash. Stopping like a deer caught in headlights she froze. Shaking to badly to do anything she stayed like she was. Another crash, though this time much closer, she heard a voice shouting run! Run you moron! She gasped and realized she was shouting to herself. Clenching the blanket she had tightly she ran north, thought which way was north, she didn't know. The crashing sound soon disappeared like it was never there and she slowed. She didn't want to get lost anymore than she was so she sat down under a large tree she knew was an old cherry tree. Knocking her head against the hard bark she huffed out large puffs of hot air. She watched the hot air rise and expands 'til it was nothing more than air.

"You sure you saw someone run Shippo?" a rough deep voice appeared like magic into the wind. Kagome shot up and to her feet.

"I know I saw somebody! I know I did!" Kagome heard a smaller voice that sound like a child said. Kagome looked around searching for a way to hide.

"I don't smell anyone, so you must be chasing ghosts again, Shippo!" the rough voice said with anger.

"But I know what I saw! And I saw somebody! Maybe your nose is broken!" the childish voice piped up. Kagome started to run north again, trying to find a place to hid from who ever it was trying to find her.

"Hey, maybe you're right Shippo, for once." The voice said coyly. The man had seen Kagome, running north towards the dormant castle. "The person is heading towards the castle. Come on." The man said as he leaped into the air with ease. Shippo had attached himself to his partners shoulder.

Kagome ran into more darkness as the light from the sun slowly by surely disappeared from the forest. Where! Where am I supposed to go! Who are those people! Kagome wondered as she looked back. Flashes of red told her that her pursuers weren't that far behind her. Shrieking Kagome fell into a pit that was covered with a cloth with leaves that drifted from the trees for cover. She looked around her trying to see where she'd fallen. What she saw didn't please her. Bones littered the ground she sat on. Some bones even had rotting flesh covered with creepy crawlers and other decomposing bacteria she knew nothing of. Her eyes widened as she saw one of he skeletons move.

"GET AWAY FROM ME!" Kagome screamed as she pressed her back to the dirt wall. A hand reached out and clamped over her mouth.

"Quiet! There are demons around her girl!" A familiar voice hushed her.

"Over here! Over here! I think I found the person!" the person Kagome though a child shouted grabbing the attention of his partner. Kagome looked down to the figure under the rotting corpses.

"Don't scream!" the man said as he threw the corpses on top of her hiding them both. She could see him but just barely. Koga! It's Koga! Oh thank god! Kagome's mind shouted as she sighed with relief. Over head she could hear the two arguing.

"Shippo! It's a bunch of rotting demons! Come on you brat! Back to the castle!" The rough voice said as a whack lined the air with sobs of 'ouches' and 'owies'.

"Ok, come on, let's go!" Koga said not knowing who he was talking to. Tossing aside the corpses he lit a candle he had in his pocket. Looking up at Kagome he gasped. "Kagome! What are you doing out here?" Koga asked hugging her tightly.

"I was bored and went for a walk. I kinda got lost." Kagome half heartedly told the truth. Kagome was glade to see Koga and he was glad she wasn't dead.

"Kagome, you're so brave! That's why you'll be my bride some day!" Koga said as he kissed her cheek. She brushed his kiss away and smiled.

"What are you doing out here Koga? Not that I not happy to see you, but I thought you were away for the week!" Kagome said as he helped her out of the hole.

"I hired two demon seekers to help me save our village." Koga said as he looked around. "One's a monk and the other is a vintage demon slayer. I met them about a week ago, and been out here ever since. Demons swarm around her like flies." Koga said as Kagome nodded.

"Where are they?" Kagome asked looking around.

"This way, they made a hidden camp in a hill side. Come on, I'll protect you Kagome." Koga said as he wrapped his arm around her waist to lead her. She was shaky but went with him without hesitation. Any where was better than where she was.

It was a short walk to Kagome surprise. Walking through a tunnel Kagome and Koga came to a man and woman saying something about a castle just ahead.

"So you lived?" the man asked. Kagome took note of him. He wore a monk's traditional dress, as Kagome called them. He had piercings in both ears though there were two in his left ear and three in his right. His hair was in a small ponytail in the back of his head. She saw his left hand was wrapped up and prayer beads were strung around the cloth as if a seal. He had a staff with four ring on the left and five or so on the right side, depending on which way he held the staff. Kagome saw an aura of purple encase the monk sitting beside the fire watching it with interest.

"You don't give him enough credit Hoshi-sama." The woman said as Kagome snapped to the woman near the far wall. The woman was in a slick, tight black suit. She could see the material was very rare by the reflection from the fire light. The armor around her shins, knees, elbows, chest, and shoulders told Kagome they were made from demon bones. An aura of pink surrounded the demon slayer as she watched the monk. The slayer's hair was black like the monk's, and was pulled into a tight ponytail draping past her shoulders. Behind her she saw a large boomerang leaning against the wall.

"Miroku, Sango, I'm giving new orders!" Koga said grabbing their attention. The monk had looked at Kagome as she found the floor of the camp very interesting.

"Is it to keep the girl safe?" Sango's voice echoed.

"Yes, this is Kagome. Kagome this is Sango and Miroku. The demon slayer and Monk I told you I hired." Koga said as Kagome bowed.

"Hello. It's a pleasure." Kagome said as she smiled at them. Miroku shot from the floor to Kagome in a flash. He gripped her hands within his own.

"So you are the woman Koga told us so much about? I never thought such beauty could be contained!" Miroku said looking into her confused eyes.

"Eh?" Kagome asked slightly speechless.

"Would you bear my child?" Miroku asked as Kagome's face fell. She watched as the boomerang she had seen next to Sango had now made contact with Miroku's skull.

"You dirty letch!" Sango said with anger. Miroku fell to the floor gripping his head.

"Sango, my lady why must you hit so hard?" Miroku asked. Kagome blinked and then felt a tug at her waist. Looking at Koga she saw his eyes harden.

"Kagome, why did you really come into the forest?" Koga asked as she looked away.

I can't tell him! I don't want to! Kagome thought as she heard Sango's voice cut in.

"We must get moving!" Kagome looked at her with question. "Hoshi-sama. The demons are gathering around here! Koga we must leave the forest quickly!" Sango said as she placed her boomerang on her back. Miroku had recovered and was standing as well.

"What! Why should we?" Koga asked as he watched the two.

"Koga, you should listen to them." Kagome said gripping his shirt. He sighed and agreed.

"Since Kagome's here, I guess the best choice is to retreat back to the village." Koga said as Kagome smiled.

"Thank you Koga!" Kagome said as she followed Sango and Miroku out of the cave. Outside they were amazed at how many demons had gathered.

"Run for it!" Sango shouted as Miroku took the lead of the line. Koga was second and Kagome was third. Sango was father behind fending off demons. Up ahead Kagome saw demons standing ready to kill.

"Kazanna!" Miroku said unleashing a wind void that he held under control with the beads. Kagome gasped as she was amazed. A demon from her west tried to take her out but Koga had kicked it in the face sending it back. Even though Koga was human he was still very skilled in hand-to-hand fighting. Kagome thanked him and ran with him to Miroku who was waiting for them. Kagome tripped over a rock and fell to her chest. Koga didn't notice until she was out of sight.

"Kagome! Kagome! Miroku! We have to go back! Kagome's back there!" Koga shouted as Miroku pulled him out of the forest.

"She's with Sango! Sango won't let anything happen to her." Miroku said felling shaky about the situation. God I hope Sango and Kagome come out! Miroku thought as he watched the forest become quiet.

Kagome within the forest, alone again , stood and started to run north, thinking she was following Koga and Miroku. Coming to a giant centipede demon Kagome dove as it went to take her head off. Screaming for salvation Kagome stood and ran again.

"Somebody! Anybody! Please help me!" Kagome's voice rang out getting the attention of a silver haired demon. The demon's ears twitched and he leaped to see who was in his forest.

Meanwhile Sango had submerged from the forest after being throw out by a two tailed cat demon that saved her from death. Watching the cat turn to it's smaller form Sango gasped. The demon was helping me? But I thought.. Miroku's voice cut into her thought and she turned to him.

"Where's Kagome?" Koga shouted from across the way.

"She's not with you!" Sango shrieked looking back into the forest.

"She's still within the forest!" Miroku asked as he took looked back into the dark forest. Koga had started to run towards the forest only to be knocked out and dragged away. "We'll look in the morning. She survived somehow without us, she'll stay alive again." Miroku said as Sango nodded. Thought they hated the thought of leave the girl in the forest alone, they knew going back in would be suicide.

"Help! PLEASE! SOMEONE HELP ME!" Kagome shouted as she was flung forward off a hillside by the demon. Screaming like a mad man she waited for her hard landing. But all she got was a soft mush. Looking up she saw two golden eyes looking back at her. Sliver hair shimmered in the moonlight that had been guiding her. Looking closely she saw a pair of dog ears twitching on top of his head.

"Humans, helpless 'til they day you die." The man said as he dropped her and flexed his hand cracking his knuckles. He started to laugh. "So, you wanna fight?" The man asked looking at the centipede demon with a crazy smile.

Who is this man? Kagome asked herself staring wide-eyed with fear and joy that she was saved, but scared of the man she was saved by.

One of my two new fanfics. Reviews are very much wanted. I thank you for reading this. -.-v