A/N: Some of you may have noticed, and I'm really sorry, that I keep on starting new stories. You might blame me for not woeking on the other ones but I just blame my imagination.

This story is dedicated to Becky, my very good friend, who sat and listened while I rattled on about my love life.

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Well, I've never added one of these before... I keep on forgetting. While, let's just say Inuyasha doesn't belong to me... I wish...

June 25

Dear Diary,

The Moonstone Festival is tonight! I'm so excited! I'm going with Ayumi. We're all dressed up; with me in the light blue kimono mother got me yesterday. I can't wait! Right now Ayumi's doing my hair. I wanted it in a bun, but she said I looked good with it down, so now the top half is tied up in a bun while the bottom portion is let out. I hate admitting it but I look so good! Good thing Souta's not coming. He's being bugging me the whole day about taking him to the festival and in the end my mother agreed with me. This festival was for young women and men to have a good time. Apparently, my brother's not old enough to be classified as a young man so he can't go. Yay! No annoying little brothers latching onto my arms tonight!

Ayumi's saying I should stop writing as I keep on jerking my head and my arms. I can't though, I'm too excited! What if I meet a nice young man there? You know, the type that makes you feel like you're the one and only girl on earth? My friends all say they're all extinct but I don't think so. I would say I am a rather open-minded person. Anyway, Ayumi says she wants to marry a youkai. She says they're nice looking, strong, sexy and 90 of them have nice biceps. I don't know… the other day I tripped over a fox youkai that was half the size of my cat.

Comparing it to Buyo, isn't saying much, but really, he was quite small, with sandy hair and cute puppy eyes. I couldn't stay and admire him since I was late for school. Anyway, with me, I don't mind any race. Youkai, human and everything in between is alright with me. As long as they like me for who I am, I'm happy.

Ayumi's saying I should really get rid of my diary since she leaned over and read the part about her. We're going to work on our makeup next. Yay! Can't wait!

Love,

Kagome

"What! It's impossible. Our latest spy cannot have been discovered. Who gave you this information? Is this the truth? Tell me the truth!" Naraku pierced his servant with another glare.

"I'm sorry, master, but the body was delivered to our front door with a note attached to it saying that we're just sending men to their deaths so we should just give up."

"I heard you the first time. Dispose the body. Now go." Naraku rubbed his forehead; he could feel a headache coming on.

That stupid dog's nose is too good! How is it possible for him to sniff out every spy and assassin I send to his house? That was the last one, goddamn it! What should I do?He might figure out how to use the Jewel any moment! Hm…if he kills every person I send over there, then maybe I should send someone he can't kill, someone like…Kikyo. But Kikyo's dead! She's gone! What am I going to do? Maybe another pretty girl might get to him. Now where would I find a pretty girl? The festival! Yes, the festival!

"Banji! Come here. Fix my formal wardrobe for tonight's Moonstone Festival." Naraku yelled to his servant.

That's how I'll get you, you dog boy.

"Hey look! Look at that fire juggler! He's so cool!" Ayumi squealed as she and Kagome weaved past hoards of people all shouting and screaming. There were lights and lanterns everywhere, crowded streets full couples and singles mingling. The air was merry and bright, it seemed everybody wanted to have a good time.

Moving on, Ayumi continued, "Hey Kagome, did you see that tightrope walker? He was awesome!" Kagome couldn't turn her head fast enough to acknowledge all the activities and games that were happening all around her. She stopped her eyes to rest her eyes for two full seconds at a cute boy winning a teddy bear at for a girl before Ayumi dragged her away, making a beeline for some food.

Munching on their candies and delicious food, the two decided to check out the fireworks. It was going to start soon. As they wounded deeper into the restless crowds, Kagome felt she had to go take a breather. She left Ayumi, who was flirting with a boy at this time and went to the less crowded area. That was when she noticed somebody was watching her.

It was a boy, obviously, and he was actually quite handsome. He had dark black hair, a bit curly at the ends,tied back in a pony tail and he had a gorgeous outfit on. When he noticed her acknowledging his presence, he walked over swiftly, a smile playing on his lips.

"So, what's a fair maiden like you doing all alone in this jungle?"

Kagome swore she saw a perfect reflection of herself in his eyes.

"Just taking a rest from all that excitement." Kagome replied, a bit uneasy with talking to a stranger in the darkness.

"Well, my name is Naraku, if you wanted to know."

"Nice to meet you, Naraku. I'm Kagome."

"You seem familiar. I happen to know a person who looks extremely similar to you. Do you know of a girl by the name of Kikyo?"

"Nope, never heard of her." Kagome couldn't believe she was actually having a regular conversation with a guy. Lots of boys wanted to be with her, except not one of them was normal, in her eyes. The usual boys she talked to in her school were either overwhelmingly horny, wanting to eat her with their eyes or just plain too shy and humble. She had yet to find someone in between, which explained her lack of a love life.

"Do you go any schools around here, Kagome? I can't help but recall a sense of having met you somewhere."

"Mount Fuji High. It's not far from here."

"That's a prestigious school. I'm glad you could get in." Naraku smiled at her. It made her blush slightly.

"Well, since the fireworks are starting now, would you like to go take a look?" he asked politely.

"Sure!" Kagome didn't feel anywhere crowded in as before.

The rest of the night proceeded as Naraku chatted with Kagome, finding out about her family and friends, what she did with her spare time and other information. While extracting this much needed information, Naraku made sure he leaked out nothing about him. It was absolutely necessary for this operation.

"So Kagome, I will visit you and your family some time. I had a great evening." Naraku bowed slightly to Kagome, showing off his good manners.

"So did I, it was great meeting you, Naraku!" Kagome smiled at Naraku before walking away with Ayumi. She loved the Moonstone Festival and she couldn't wait to meet this young man again.

Weeks passed and Naraku still hasn't visited her. Not that she minded, but she felt she should at least be a little more interesting than just a one time chat. It just happened that Kagome got her wish that very same day.

Kagome was returning home from school when she approached the gates of her shrine home. Her Grandpa was usually outside sweeping the yard but he wasn't today. Kagome thought it was a little weird. When Kagome unlocked her front door, she couldn't help but scream at what she saw. Before her, everything was in ruins. The couch, chairs, tables and every other furniture seemed to be turned upside down. One of the sofa cushions must have ripped two because there were cotton bits and feathers floating all around.

Kagome was shocked; no it was more than that. She had never seen her home so messed up like that. After the initial displacement was over, her mind raced over her family members.

"Mama? Souta? Grandpa? Where are you?" Kagome called out as she stepped inside and walked around in circles. She still couldn't get past why her living room was in this state.

"Mama! Where are you!" She was getting a bit frantic now. Nobody was to be seen, including her cat. Kagome ran upstairs, found out that it hasn't been touched, looked in every room but not a shadow of her family could be seen.

"Where are you guys!" Kagome could feel tears welling up in her eyes now. Somebody must have broken in and kidnapped her family. But why? Their family was on good terms with everybody and everybody loved the Higurashis.

Kagome trudged down the stairs in an attempt to convince herself that this is only a trick her family played on her. She walked in the kitchen. It was in the same state as the living room. It seemed the whole first floor was trashed. Pots and pans were all over the place and plates have been smashed into smithereens, making it a minefield for Kagome's feet.

Looking around, she saw. It was a piece of wrinkled paper lying on top of counter, the only non-ripped thing in the whole kitchen. Kagome walked over to it and picked it up.

Kagome,

I have your family with me right now. If you want to see them alive again, meet me the town's old well at eleven tonight. If you tell any living thing about this, your family will die. Have fun cleaning.

No name, no information, just the fact that her family was in danger and she was expected to go visit their kidnapper. How did the person know her name? She racked her mind for any person who might have a grudge against her. She came up with nobody. What was she supposed to do? Just go and visit some stranger who was willing to kill in the middle of the night? But the person said that if Kagome ever wanted to see her family alive then…

What was she going to do? She felt confused and still completely shocked. She couldn't get past the fact that something like this was happening to her. Stuff like this always happened in movies and on the T.V., but never in real life. What was she supposed to do? Tell someone? But the note plainly stated that her family would die if anybody else knew about it. She couldn't put her family in danger.

Kagome sank down on her knees. She didn't think she was in danger because whoever did this, didn't want to kill her. If they did, she would probably be dead already. She surveyed the damage around her. Whoever committed this crime could not only kill her, but ten of her in one swipe. Kagome thought about this in her head. And the meeting at the old well, it was for that someone to speak with her. She must have something that person needs if the dude really wanted to see her that badly.

I guess I'll have to clean this up. She still didn't know if she should go or not when she spotted something red at the edges of her vision. It was a spot on the floor. Kagome crawled over to inspect it. It was blood, and it was quite fresh. That made up her mind immediately. I guess I'll see you soon, whoever you are.

The night air was chilly as Kagome made her way towards the well. She was actually fitted snugly in one of her grandpa's old coats but she couldn't help but shiver. It was as if her blood was cold.

Once at the well, she paused. This was it, she was either going to die or she had a chance to save her family. From what, she didn't know, but she was pretty sure she wouldn't want to know once she found out.

"So you're here." A chilly voice knocked her out of her thoughts.

"So what if I am? Are you going to release my family? Who are you? What do you want with me? What did I do to you?" Kagome hardly registered the fact that she was babbling.

"Calm down, Kagome." The voice sounded very familiar. Kagome couldn't help but think she heard it somewhere.

"Come out you scaredy cat! And bring my family while you're at it!"

"I doubt I'm the one scared in this situation. In fact, I can practically feel the waves of fright rolling off of you. As for your requests, I'm sorry but I have to decline. Your family is safe, that is, if you listen to what I have to say. As for me coming out, let's just say you do not deserve to meet me. However, we have met on a previous occasion."

"Well, I don't care who the hell you are but release my family! As for me listening to you, start speaking already!" Kagome was huffing by now. She didn't know what was wrong with her. If it was any other time, she would be cowering with fear in this instance, she couldn't help but be extremely annoyed by that voice. She wanted to choke the person who was making those stupid comments.

"Patience, my girl. Alright, let's just say I'll release your family on one condition. Do what I say."

"And what would that be? Because I'm sure if you want me to murder someone, you'd have done that by now."

"Right on, Kagome. I didn't think you were that smart."

Kagome couldn't help but feel a little sick hearing that.

"Have you heard of Inuyasha, Kagome?" The voice seemed to become colder at the mention of Inuyasha.

Thoughts rolled by in Kagome's head. Of course she has! Which idiot hasn't! He was the son of the ruler of their whole country! Apart from the fact his name is mentioned by all the young women in land and cursed by the men, he wasn't that famous.

Thinking that it was a safe question, Kagome answered truthfully. "Yes, I do."

"Good, that'll make things easier. Inuyasha, as you might know, is the son of the ruler of this land. He once had a lover, whose name is long forgotten or just kept a secret. Anyway, this woman, who was also a miko, died in the war five years ago, but not before giving him a very important artifact. Even though this is irrelevant, I'll tell you why. The girl was supposed to give it to me, for purposes you don't need to know. Instead, she had fallen in love with Inuyasha and since she could not bring herself to marry a youkai or the descendent of one, she gave the jewel to him so he could change into a human.

He was willing to do that for her. He was willing to do everything. So, when she died in the war that made everybody equal in status and rights today, he was heartbroken. He has kept the Jewel with him all this time and is trying to tap into its power source for his own selfish reasons. I want that Jewel back, Kagome. Its rightful owner is me."

"So what does this have to do with me? If you want it, why don't you go steal it? Why did you kidnap my family?" Kagome was teetering on the edge of becoming really angry. This person, who is obviously not going to kill her soon, has gotten her and her family involved in something she couldn't care less about.

"If I could, I would have stolen it a long time ago. But Inuyasha, a very influential person, has a very strong network of spies and assassins. We've tried everything to get the Jewel but his network is just impossible to break. This is where you come in Kagome. He can't resist a girl like you."

"What!"

"Don't sound so surprised. I'm sure you knew this was coming." The voice had that annoying but commanding quality to it again.

"What do you want me to do? Barge in his house and grab the Jewel because he can't resist a girl like me?" Kagome didn't like what the person was hinting at her to do.

"No, no. Nothing of the sort. You'll have to be conspicuous of course. I want you to seduce him. To make him fall in love with you and give you the Jewel, like what Kikyo did with Inuyasha. This time, it's just the other way around."

"How do you know he won't find out and slit my throat?"

"I don't. That's for you to worry about. I'll tell you this Kagome; you'll really have to put up an amazing act. And if you don't, your family won't be as safe as you think they are."

"So one way, my family dies, the other way, I die. You're asking me to choose?"

"Precisely, but don't put it in such harsh words, my girl. Your family may die and you may die, but that completely depends on you."

"Stop calling me your girl! I can't choose! I'm not going to choo-

"Stop yelling right now or don't count on seeing your fat cat Buyo again, or any of your other family members, for that matter."

Kagome stopped immediately. She went too far. When she got hot headed, it was easy to lose her place. She had a very strong urge to wake up from what she believed was a sick nightmare.

"The answer's simple, really. But I just need to hear you say it. Either your family will die or they might die. Come on, Kagome, spit it out."

"Yes, I agree to whatever you say," Kagome couldn't feel any more disgusted with herself. She couldn't bear the thought of her family being hurt. She was willing to do anything and everything for the people who mattered the most to her.

"Great, I'm glad you agreed. Before you go, however, you must not tell your story to anyone. If anyone and I mean if the lowest servant or Inuyasha himself hears of this, you'll see your family floating down the river. I know everything that goes on with you. I have eyes on the back of my head. Do I make myself clear?"

Kagome nodded meekly.

"Now, you will feel a pain in your left arm and you will get very sleepy. It's necessary for this; it's the only way for you to be accepted into their household.

As he was speaking, Kagome felt as if someone pinched her in the arm and she began to get drowsy. Before she fell succumbed to a deep sleep, she was able to mouth her very last question.

"Out of all the girls Inuyasha can't resist, why me?"

A whisper drifted back to her. "Let's just say you're the only girl he can't resist."

Somebody was knocking on the door. He was too tired; too sick of all the paperwork he had to do to bother to care. Not bothering to look up from the list of long wages he had to pay to the workers, he answered.

"Come in."

A young man in a whole suit of amour walked in, bearing a piece of paper in hand. He bowed strictly and formally to the young master of the house.

"What is it this time?" Inuyasha asked, a little annoyance playing in his voice.

"I have just received information from C-Section 14. It involves a plan that Naraku has plotted against you."

Inuyasha shook his head. Which plan against Inuyasha was not made by Naraku?

"Tell me about it."

The man shifted slightly, looking a bit uncomfortable.

"Uh, Naraku has gotten a girl to seduce you. So she can get the Jewel from you."

Inuyasha laughed. No, he didn't laugh much, but this was funny; this was real funny.

"Seduce me? Really? What makes Naraku think he can get a girl to seduce me?" Inuyasha's mind silently shifted to a picture of Kikyo. He felt something constrained in his chest, but he didn't show it in his suddenly stoic expression.

"Alright, I've gotten the message. Anything else?"

"No, master, that's all."

"You can go now." Inuyasha watched as the man quickly got his out of the room. Many of his men were terrified of him. They all knew what Inuyasha did to traitors and liars.

So, Naraku, you think you can fool me? Not a chance, old man, not a chance. You were going for a lost cause the moment you thought of this plan. Don't you remember? Her?