CHAPTER 1

I guess you could say that it all started with that first meeting, as cliché as that sounds. I…well I was a curious child by nature. As young as I was, it was no wonder how I found myself in so much trouble. Then I met him. I met Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru was special. He was my "The One". Our meeting, our friendship, our bond, our struggle; I'd like to believe it was all fate. I'd like to believe it was destined.

"Come along now little prince! We have to go meet important guests."

A young boy of eight - pout of defiance clear upon his angelic face - turned his nose up at the maid.

"This Sesshomaru does not have any obligation to comply. As prince, this Sesshomaru demands that you tell his mother that I refuse."

And so the young lad crossed his arms and awaited the fulfillment of his command. The maid only shook her head and huffed in both irritation and amusement.

"Are you absolutely sure about that Sesshomaru-Sama?"

She made sure to emphasize his title to further persuade the stubborn prince.

"You know how Lady Kimi reacts to disobedience do you not?"

Said Prince visibly paled at this insinuation. 'I've got you now Ouji-Sama!' The maid only barely managed to hide her smirk of victory from the prince.

"W-well, seeing as they are such important guests, I suppose as prince, it should be my duty to go and see to their arrival."

Bowing low, still keeping her smirk hidden, she replied, "of course my prince; wise as always."

She then quickly led him to the throne room where his mother was waiting.

Meanwhile…

Three elegantly dressed nobles walked calmly through the halls of the castle. Their destination? The throne room.

"C'mon Mama! Papa! Hurry up slowpokes!"

In contrast to their leisurely pace, directly in front of them, was their daughter- a young girl no older than six- skipping at a much faster pace. She looked about in awed wonder at the castle all around her. She once again turned to her parents in impatience, gesturing for them to hurry up. Before she could react, suddenly her father had run up to her, catching her in a tight embrace. She giggled in surprise and delight.

"Slowpokes are we?"

The group of three entered the throne room, smiles intact, and the young girl still within the strong arms of her father. He set her down and as one they bowed to the Western royals.

Inukimi smiled warmly at her guests.

"Hitomi! Eiji! It has been far too long!"

The little girl pulled her hands out of her parents hold and stepped forward towards Inukimi.

"Good afternoon lady Kimi!" She smiled a blinding smile at her before bowing in farewell and heading towards the young Inu prince still standing upon the dias.

'Strange.'

That was Sesshomaru's first thought as he watched the little girl squirm away from her parents' hold and make her way towards him. Children rarely approached the young prince. He was intimidating, and in his own way a bit…rude.

"…girl."

Pouting cutely, hands on her hips, she told him - quite sternly - "My name's Kagome. K-A-G-O-M-E."

The edges of his mouth turned up in amusement.

"hn."

She only rolled her eyes at his monotone response. Bringing her chubby little arms forward, she asked him - her face scrunched up in total seriousness – "Can I touch your fluffy?"

The look in her eyes made him weary.

'Truly strange.' were his final thoughts before he found himself being chased throughout the castle by the young girl.

She really wanted to touch the fluffy.

At that time, I could never have guessed that our strange friendship could become so strong. Could lead us to so much heartache. If I had known, maybe…no, I don't think it would have mattered if I'd known. Though it pained me, there is not a single moment of my past, of our past, that I could ever regret.

Especially not him.

Never him.

My dear Aisoku

A.N: So prologue…okay? Good? Bad? Reviews would be appreciated. Flames are mean, but Constructive Criticism is always nice :D

* Aisoku: meaning (your) beloved son; cute boy

hint hint C;