Alright! I really should be writing the next chapter to my other story "Shadows" but this story kept buzzing around my head, so I just couldn't help myself!!!

I don't own Inu Yasha….*sob!*

To Live Again

Prologue

Grandpa Higurashi sat in his chair and looked down at his feet, where his granddaughter, 9 year old Kagome, and grandson, 3 year old Souta, were sitting. As usual, they were waiting for the many tales he often told them before bedtime.

"There are many tales from Feudal Japan. Many of them tell of youkai, magic, and other mystical things. This very temple, in fact, was the site of one momentous act.

The Miko Kikyo was the protector of the Shikon no Tama, a jewel that was said to give a youkai incredible strength. It was also said that the jewel would grant a wish. The Miko was a very good woman who protected the village by keeping the youkai at bay, and guarded the jewel, and the village, with her life.

Many youkai, and men with evil hearts, came after the jewel. One of such was a hanyou named Inu Yasha. But, as the story goes, the hanyou and the miko fell in love. The hanyou was even going to wish on the shikon no tama to become human. But then, without reason, the two turned on each other. The day that Inu Yasha was to become human, he attacked Kikyo and took the jewel. Fatally injured from the attack, Kikyo used the last of her power to seal the hanyou to the god tree, which is where he remained until his body finally disappeared. The Miko Kikyo died soon after, taking the jewel with her to the netherworld."

"That's so sad Grandpa," Little Kagome said, and pulled her knees up to rest her chin on, "Why did they betray each other if they were in love?"

"That I don't know Kagome. Possibly it was the hanyou's plan all along to betray the Miko. But, then again, it is just a story. Another myth is that of the horrible youkai Naraku, and the Monk Mitsunari. The Monk, trying to vanquish the evil youkai Naraku, followed him around the country, searching for him. They battled quite a few times, but the youkai was able to change the way he looked, so the Monk never knew exactly where to find him, or when he'd attack. Then, one day, Naraku appeared before him in the form of a beautiful woman. Mitsunari, being of *cough* a certain way, wasn't able to fight against him. Thus, Naraku cursed him with a wind tunnel in his right hand, which unless sealed, would suck in everything around him, including people. Eventually, the hole would consume him as well. The only way to defeat it would be to defeat Naraku. But Mitsunari was not able to. He died, and the curse was passed on to his son, Mannaku. But, unfortunately for him as well, he was not able to break the curse. Finally, the curse was passed down to his son, Miroku. He too was unable to break the curse, but he also had no heir for the curse to be handed down to. Thus, the curse of the wind tunnel ended."

"That's so cool, grandpa! Tell us another one!" Souta exclaimed, sitting up on his knees.

"Alright…there is another one, not so tragic. There was once a village set high up in the hills, not far from here. It was a youkai exterminator's village. The people there trained to kill youkai that threatened villagers. The daughter of the village was a great warrior, bringing down thousands of youkai with her weapon, which was a boomerang called 'hirakotsu'. She eventually became the leader of the village. However, by that time youkai were becoming fewer and fewer so the youkai exterminators were not needed anymore. The village became just a normal village."

Souta frowned, "That wasn't as exciting as the other stories you told us!"

"I want to hear more about the miko and the hanyou!" Kagome exclaimed.

"Now kids, I think that's enough for one night." Mrs. Higurashi called, walking into the living room from the kitchen. "It's time for bed anyways. Kiss your grandfather goodnight and go get in bed."

"But I didn't even get to tell them my story about the kitsune's who outsmarted the Thunder Brother tribe! Or the ancient story of Midoriko!" Grandpa Higurashi whined, along with his grandchildren.

Mrs. Higurashi gave the "mom" glare, and the children hurriedly flew by, calling goodnight to their mother and grandfather.

Once the children were out of the room, Mrs. Higurashi looked at her father, "Dad, why do you tell them such stories? It always gets them so wound up before bed."

"Because they should know Japan's history! God knows, the school isn't teaching them it!"

Mrs. Higurashi sighed, "That's because they're stories Dad. Youkai never really existed, and those myths are just that, myths."

I know, I know, this prologue is SHORT. But, it's a prologue, right? It's ok if it's short. Right, Right? *looks around nervously* right??