Though I tried, I never remembered my mother.

Part of me feels that I should try to remember my father too, but I think that would hurt Master Kohaku. He has raised me alongside his nieces and nephews for as long as I can remember. I only asked once about my father - and that was the first time I ever saw Master Kohaku look angry. He left without a word, and did not return for many days. When he finally came home I told him that I would not ask about my father again, but he did not answer.

The most he has ever told me is that my mother was once a powerful priestess with immense spiritual power. She left behind nothing but her bow, which is always by my side - I have terrible aim, but still feel at peace when I am near it. I think I might have spiritual power too, but Master Kohaku has never allowed me to test it.

But fifteen years ago, my mother died. Master Kohaku has not spoken about it, but I have heard rumors that she died in childbirth. I want to be angry but I still wish that someday I will...

"Akita!"

Akita startled out of her thoughts at the sound of his voice. When she realized that he was storming his way toward her, she quickly rolled up the scroll and tucked it into her blanket. He would tease her endlessly if he knew she still kept something as childish as a diary.

"Hideo?"

The boy burst into the room, his eyes full of fire. "What are you still doing here!? The twins will be up any minute now! Hurry, go and -"

"Yes, old man Hideo. Sorry, old man Hideo," Akita answered before darting past him.

"Stop calling me old man!" he shouted after her.

"Stop acting like one," she muttered under her breath.

It had always been this way. Akita rose early each morning to cook, and then her days would be overly full of chores and children. She sighed as she turned the corner to the kitchen. Tying her red handkerchief tight around her head, she set to work preparing breakfast.

The children came and ate, and left as quickly as they came. They never thanked her, but she was satisfied with how quickly they ate; they would not be so enthusiastic if it was not good. With a triumphant nod, she gathered the dishes and set out to the river to wash them.

She felt strangely distracted this morning. Her thoughts were so set on her diary that she did not see the shadow that moved behind her until it struck her.

Akita fell to the ground with a yelp, and a searing pain raced through her shoulder. She grimaced, then turned with wide eyes.

"Where is she?" the demon lizard snarled. "Where is the child destined to free our master?"

"I...don't know what you're talking about," Akita stuttered. She tried to move away, but her legs were trembling.

"Then I have no use for you!" the demon howled, preparing to strike. Akita screamed and rolled to the side, but she felt the claw graze her cheek. Her handkerchief fell in pieces to the ground, and the demon's blood red eyes grew wide.

"It's you!" the lizard cackled.

"Stay away from me!" Akita cried, desperately trying to cover her dog ears with her hands. She scrambled to her feet and ran, her breath coming in sharp gasps as she tried t figure out where to go. This was not the first time a demon had come after her; ordinarily she would've gone to the village, but Master Kohaku was on an assignment in a village nearby. No one else could possibly slay such a large demon.

Just as she had begun to lose hope, her eyes settled on a well in the distance. She glanced at the demon that chased her; it was large, and would not be able to follow her into the well. Hide would notice that she was missing by lunchtime, so she wouldn't have to hide for long. Without a second thought, she leapt into the well.

But she did not land. She kept falling, and the voice of the demon continued to grow faint until she could no longer hear it. "I'm going to die!" Akita cried, covering her eyes.

But then the air slowed around her, and Akita paused. Her heart was pounding, and after she landed she waited for a moment before looking around.

The sky was dark. "Hello?" she called.

When no answer came, she pulled out one of her arrows, wondering if she might be able to use it to climb out. When she heard the voices she froze, clinging to the wall.

"I told you, Hitomi. The well is sealed."

"But Sota, I heard-"

"Um, excuse me?" Akita called.

The woman screamed, and Akita screamed back without meaning to.

But the man was quiet. He peered down at her, and Akita could barely see his face.

"Kagome?" he called, his voice barely more than a whisper. "Is it really you?"

Akita felt as though her heart had stopped.

"Who are you," she said quietly, "And how do you know my mother?"