a/n: All of the characters in this story (except for Kira) do not belong to me and by rights belong to their creator, Rumiko Takahashi.

--------------------Chapter 1: First Impressions--------------------

It was a beautiful day in Feudal Japan. It was dawn and everyone was just rising from their sleep. The monk Miroku was the first to wake up. He left the camp to find some food for the crew, but once in the forest, he found something he didn't quite expect. Exiting a cave in the clearing ahead was a strange looking young girl. Her clothing was even stranger than Kagome's.

"A Demon?" he wondered. "No. Perhaps a Miko." But no matter what she was, this girl was female, and Miroku couldn't resist the chance to flirt. He made his decision and entered the clearing.

"Yo!" he called. The girl turned, startled. She was clearly confused and a little upset. "Do not worry. I am merely a modest monk. Perhaps I can be of assistance to you. May I ask your name?"

"Uhhhh...Kira," she replied.

"Kira," he repeated, and held her hands in his. "What a beautiful name for a beautiful woman." She blushed. He cut straight to the point. "I'm looking for a beautiful bride like you. Would you consider having my children?"

Kira's expression immediately changed from confusion to pure anger. "Hentai!" she screamed, and punched the monk square in the face. He fell to the ground, holding his possibly-broken nose.

"So much for modesty," she growled.

Of course, the half-demon Inu-Yasha, with his acute hearing, heard all of this, and was immediately woken by it.

"Damn it!" he hissed. "Miroku must have wandered off again. That damn monk never learns." Inu-Yasha got up and went into the direction of the disturbance. There, he found that it what not Miroku harassing some woman, but a strange looking girl stomping on a little stuffed toy that looked like Miroku.

"Stupid monk!" she shrieked. "Put the move on me, will you? I'll teach you some manners!"

At first Inu-Yasha thought the girl was insane and immediately dismissed the matter, but then he saw something that caught his attention. Around the girl's neck, he saw something shimmering and immediately knew what it was.

"A jewel shard!" he yelled.

Kira immediately stopped, her foot on the doll's head, and looked straight at Inu-Yasha.

"Who the hell are you and what are you talking about?" she demanded.

"The jewel shard!" he yelled, pointing at her necklace. "Give it to me!"

"No! It's mine. You can't have it," she grabbed the jewel around her neck and began to run. Inu-Yasha began to chase after her, but tripped on Miroku and fell to the ground.

"Watch where you're going," Miroku groaned. "I've had enough of a beating for one day."

"What the hell?" Inu-Yasha glared at the monk. "How the hell did you get there?"

"Kira turned me into a doll and started stomping on me. But her spell must have worn off when she got distracted," he explained.

"Who?" Inu-Yasha demanded.

"The girl! Kira!" he yelled, and winced, holding his head and groaning.

"Look," Inu-Yasha growled. "I don't care who she is. She has a shard of the Shikon Jewel and we have to catch her before she gets away!"

"Very well," the monk said cooly. "You go after her and I'll gather the others for assistance."

"Fine," and with that, they were off, the half-demon in one direction, and the monk in the other.