A.N.: Hey folks! Listen, I had this story that I had posted before but writer's block got me hehehe I still haven't gone on with the rest of the story yet but I have a few chapters done and I was thinking in fixing it and post it again! And then maybe I can find inspiration to finish it! So here's the first chapter! I hope you like it! Though I'm not sure if I'll be able to end this story! Who knows!

Summary: Things happen for a reason, right? For Kaoru, she could only hope so. In her world, she had been having strange dreams about a guy with white hands and purple stripes on his wrists… and she fell in love for a dream! Pathetic huh? Well, not when that becomes reality… But before that, she had passed through a lot: danger, friends, crushes, new family, and lot of sorrow… What a girl had to pass through to finally be loved? Read and find out

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, though I really wish Sesshy sama was mine sighs

Chapter 1 – "The Beginning"

She woke up alone in the middle of a clearing on a clear full-moon night. Slowly rubbing her eyes with the back of her hands she looked around and did not recognize the place she was in. How come she could be in the middle of nowhere, if just a minute ago she was coming back from a party with her friends? 'Maybe I drank more than I realized' she thought while trying to remember what had happened to her.

She remained sat there, on the ground, with two of her fingers massaging her temples while thinking, 'First that dream, no that nightmare I had, and now this? This is definitely not the best day of my life'. There was no sign of civilization as she looked around to examine the place more accurately. It was an area surrounded by a thick forest and all that came to her ears up to then was the sound of small animals.

So, examining herself and focusing on what she was wearing she tried to find a clue of what might have happen. There it was looking down to up her black high heels boots, baggy black silky pants with low waistband, a sleeveless black tight blouse with a 'v' neck molding her breasts perfectly and finally a black leather jacket which was torn on the sleeves... 'Wait just a second...' She thought slowly 'Oh my gosh, it was not a nightmare!' she got up swiftly screaming in her mind and began to walk back and forth on the clearing, trying to calm herself and think things through. 'The nightmare... I mean what I thought it was a nightmare... what happened then was true... but something must have gotten wrong... thank God' she used to always look at the bright side of everything, although she kept that to herself.

'First I was at the party, I drank some wine, dance – let's blame the effect of the alcohol for that – then when I was walking home some stranger came to me, yes, I remember... but he was no human...I got scared but I didn't run from him... although he was really disgusting, those red eyes and that green skin... not that I have any kind of prejudice about this but... the way he looked and talked to me... argh... and he attacked me for God's sake... how dare him? Ruined my good, no ... the best jacket I had... if he appears here again I'll teach him a lesson or two' she closed her fists as she got angrier and angrier.

Breathing in slowly she tried to calm herself down and pondered, 'I can't deal with this right now. But he did drag me here, so something must have happened, what was it? Oh – she punched her own head with her palm –, I remember now. I beat him hard on his... Well, I didn't know if that would work but I had to try something. Luckily, I was right.' She allowed a thin grin on her lips as she remembered beating that demon on his nuts. 'That opening... he opened a portal... I've only seen that in movies. I've never thought that those were real. When I beat him, he dropped me. That's it. Since he dropped me on the portal, we end up in different places. But I don't know where I am. Gosh. That sucks. But standing here is not going to save me so... let's walk... keep walking' she decided on walking and finding someone who she could talk to.

Days passed by since then. Kaoru, as she was called by the people of the village that gave her shelter, learned about where and 'when' she was and about the dangers of that age: Youkais. However she, going against everyone else's thoughts, did not fear or hate those youkais. She used to always take precautions but she had never run because of the presence of a youkai.

Kaoru was not from Japan, but she had always loved their culture and had learned the language very well. So she had no difficulties when she found the village. At first, they got scared and didn't trust her, most because of her clothes and her appearance. She was middle height and had long brow hair, a little bit curly and very silky and shinning. She was also tanned by the sun and her eyes were different from Japanese's, of course, she was from West. Nonetheless, as soon as they realized she was a foreign, they didn't care about those details anymore. And for her surprise, they welcomed her. Two villages had refused to accept her before, but that one had welcomed her and she was extremely grateful for that.

Kaoru had 24 years old, and by Japanese standards at the time, she was supposed to be already married. However, being foreign people pretended to 'understand' that peculiarity. The fact was, she was waiting for the right one; she was very romantic although it didn't seem like it. But to find the right one was not an easy task for her. She had no patience with people, and she also enjoyed spending most of her time alone.

At the village, even though she enjoyed her space, she managed to spend some quality time with their people, mostly in the mornings, when she helped them with some chores. Afterwards, she used to walk on the forest that surrounded the village. And, sometimes, she used to tell stories to the children of the village, watching them while their parents were working.

She did miss her home but, at the same time, she did not. She had no idea how to go back and was kind of resigned with her current situation. One day, she walked into that forest and sat on the ground, leaning against an oak tree, when she heard a noise.

"Who's there?" she asked in a firm voice as she stood up, but she received no answer. The bushes started to move a little and she walked in that direction. Kaoru heard a tiny growl coming from it.

"C'mon, who's there? I'm not gonna hurt you. Come out of those bushes" she said in a soft voice as she saw a brown fluffy tail shifting from side to side. 'I hope it's a youkai. Since I was told about them, I've always wanted to be friend with one' she smiled and stepped forward kneeling on the ground next to the bushes. Suddenly, two small forms got out of those bushes and kept staring at her with their big black eyes.

"You mean that?" The older, it seemed, asked her in a fearful voice as he stayed in front of the other. She observed them. The older was like an eight year old child and the other one seemed like a six year old. Both of them looked normal except for some details such as tails, fangs, pointed ears and claws. Their clothes were like light brown furs around their chest and hips. They were so cute, like two little wolves-human. 'Yeah, wolf youkais... so cute' she thought as she looked at them.

"Why would I lie about that?" she questioned with a smile on her face.

"You're human, that's why..." the little one exclaimed from behind his brother.

"Shhh... you're going to get us in trouble" the older said while putting his hand to shut his little brother's mouth up.

Kaoru giggled watching the two brothers "Well, I suppose humans do lie sometimes but I am assuring you that I am not lying. I don't hurt people or youkais if they don't hurt me first. So, if you two did not try to kill me I would like to have you as my new little friends. Is that good for you?" she asked with a broad smile rising on her lips.

The two youkais started to whisper in each other ears, trying to decide what to do. They both looked at her and the older one asked, "Before we say anything, can we get close to you?" She raised an eyebrow to that question but nodded in agreement. They both came closer to her and started to sniff the air around her. Suddenly they both opened their eyes wide looking at Kaoru and looking at each other, smiled at each other, looked back at Kaoru and in a unison growl, they said "We're friends!" and hugged her at the same time. The three of them fell on the grass laughing and then, started to play of hunting each other on the forest. They played during all morning. Kaoru made a mental note to ask about the sniffing thing, but playing with them made her forget about a lot of things.

"Musashi and Hideki, I ... – she paused to gather some air into her lungs – I can't take it anymore..."

"So you give up?" They asked as they laughed at the same time.

"I give up" She smiled at them after stop laughing because of the tickling session she received from both of them. "However, I want a rematch later" she said narrowing her eyes in a playful way.

"You'll lose again" They both replied at the same time and in sing-song way.

"I probably will" she sighed "you two know how to control yourselves very well, I have to learn that" she sat leaning back on a tree with the two cubs lying under her arms in each side of her. "I'm hungry but..."

"You're too tired to stand up... lazy" Hideki, the youngest, finished her sentence, adding something more.

She looked down at him who was yawning at her belly and raised an eyebrow "And I'm the lazy one..." she whispered and Musashi laughed low so his brother would not wake up. Then he looked up at Kaoru and asked "I trust you Kaoru nee-chan – he smiled – I know you're human and can't defend yourself and I have to take care of him... But as we're friends now, can I ask you something?"

"Of course you can"

"It's been days since we last slept and, after this morning we've got tired and – he paused – we need to sleep now and" – he paused again but didn't finish.

"You want me to watch over you two while you're sleeping?" She asked in an emotionless voice.

He nodded and added "but, wake us up if any danger comes, we can save you... and this forest may become unsafe" he said all at once.

"Don't you worry Musashi – she held him tight – I'll be right here when you two wake up and if I see something I'll definitely wake you two up, that's for sure" she widened her eyes while she was talking making a funny face and he tried to hide his laugh, not to wake his brother.

Musashi was ready to close his eyes when he felt something coming fast in their direction. His ears started to twitch.

"Something's wrong?" Kaoru asked him in a concerned voice.

He stood up and said in a sad way "We're in trouble"

"So let's get out of here" Kaoru said worried.

"It's too late for that" Hideki said while waking up and holding Kaoru tightly while Musashi positioned himself in front of her.

"But what's going on?" Kaoru said, worried about the way they were acting.

"I know him and we're gonna be in trouble" Musashi said in a fearful voice, he was holding back his tears.

'Oh my, I've gotta do something. I can't let anything happen with these two' She grabbed Musashi by his wrists and pulled him to her, holding him and his brother in a protective way, in each side of her. "Musashi, you do not need to worry or protect me... you do it for your brother... I'll be fine" she smiled at him.

"But..." he started but she didn't let him finish.

"No buts, just do as I say, if you had the chance... run and don't look back" she said as a twist of dirt and leaves was coming really fast toward them. It stopped right in front of them and when the dust went down, there was, in front of her, a wolf youkai. He appeared to be in his twenties in human age, and he was dressed in an outfit similar to the children, except for his armor. His black hair was up in a ponytail and his gorgeous blue eyes stared straight at her petite form.

"I've already warn the two of you that we're not attacking humans anymore" Kouga said in a stern tone while completely ignoring Kaoru.

She looked at the boys and they were hiding behind her. She asked softly "You know him so, he must been responsible for the two of you?" They both shook their heads slowly saying yes. Turning around to face them she looked down and inquired with authority "You were disobeying him by coming here?" They nodded again, cutely. She hung her head down in defeat while thinking 'I can't be mad at them, look at these cute pleading eyes'.

While she talked to them, Kouga was observing her. 'She's not like other humans. Somehow she reminds me of Kagome but... no, she's still different from her. She's definitely beautiful and smells good as well' He inhaled her scent as he observed her 'It seems like she already has the respect of these two little monsters. Since they are kind of family, I've gotta watch them sometimes and I know they're not easy' he looked at her once again and took better notice of her outfit 'yeah, definitely different and... beautiful'.

"And you? How come you let those two alone in this forest?" she had turned to face him again and stared inside his eyes with a little bit of anger. Since she did not yell at the children, she was getting mad at him. "I know that youkais are powerful and stuff" She gesticulated throwing her hands in the air "but they're still children and cannot be alone, they cannot be left without supervision." She stopped her lecture with her arms crossed upon her chest when she realized he was staring at her with his lips curling up in a suspicious grin, showing a bit of his white fangs; a grin she could not identify what it meant. "What?" she hissed while getting closer and standing nose to nose with him. "What are you smiling at? Am I dirty or something? Do I have something on my face to make you smile? Am I a clown?" she started to question in a harsh tone.

He put his claws upon her shoulders to held her in place and said staring into her eyes, nose with nose "Woman – he licked his lips and went slowly her ear whispering in a smooth and teasing voice – do you know you look beautiful when you're angry?" he loosened his grip on her.

She narrowed her eyes and then sighed in sign of defeat 'Damn eyes' she thought as she looked at his eyes "Men, Youkais... they're all the same" she whispered to herself. Kouga raised an eyebrow at her comment but didn't have the chance of saying anything.

"Well, since my anger is gone and I'm not beautiful anymore – she smirked – I'm Kaoru" she bowed lightly.

He hooked her chin up with his clawed finger and said smoothly "I'm Kouga, prince of the wolf youkai tribe, and it's a pleasure – he paused looking inside her eyes – to meet you"

She took his hand and removed gently away from her chin and as he finished she stated "Not seductive enough, prince". With a soft smile she released his hand from her grip.

"Well, - he sighed – I guess I have to improve on my techniques with you then" he said to nobody because she was already with the children, saying their goodbyes. 'I was so distractive that I didn't even notice she had moved. Maybe, another time' he thought as a small grin appeared on his face.

"I hope you can forgive the boys" Kouga took a time to look at them and he also, could not resist those pleading eyes. So he sighed and nodded in agreement. "And I was hopping that you could bring them here again, since we've become friends now" Kouga raised an eyebrow and then allowed a grin to come out of his lips "What?" she asked puzzled while placing her hands on her waist.

"Kids go ahead, you know the way home. I'll catch up with you later" Kouga ordered sternly.

They both reached up for Kaoru, so she bent down allowing them to hug and kiss her on the cheek, at the same time "Bye Kaoru nee-chan" they both yelled in the distance.

"Bye and be careful, kids" she yelled back and turned to Kouga who was still there, staring at her. "What is it, prince?" she asked nonchalantly.

"You know, I prefer you call me Kouga"

"And I prefer you call me Kaoru, not woman" she narrowed her eyes.

"All right, Kaoru"

"Thank you, Kouga" she smiled "So, what is it? Why haven't you answered my request?" she looked at him with questioning eyes.

He stared down at her and smiled "Well, they can not be here by themselves. And I know there's a human village around here and humans don't like youkais and youkais, well, you know"

"Are you concerned that if the people at the village discover about them, they will not like it? Or perhaps, even attack them?" She tried.

He nodded and added "And I'll have to defend myself and the kids and I have made a promise that I wouldn't hurt humans anymore so..." he leaned his back on a tree and slid down sitting on the ground.

She went to his side and sat next to him. "A promise huh? I bet it's a girl and I bet she's human" she said as she nudged him on the ribs.

He looked at her amazed by her words and actions "How?"

"Well, it's kind of obvious don't you think?" she smiled and leaned on the tree looking at the sky. "But, anyway, I understand what you're saying" she continued in sad voice 'I'm gonna miss those little brats'

"However" he started again and she looked at him "I'm not gonna let those two brats without their new friend so..." he trailed off.

"So?" she cooed not hiding her excitement as she grasped his arm with her two hands. "C'mon Kouga, tell me!"

He looked at her amazed by her reaction 'that's why she reminds me of Kagome, now I can see; It's her emotions' so he continued "So, I was wondering if you would like to visit us once and a while. I mean, I would come here and take you to where we live. If you agree, of course" He looked at her shining eyes "What do you think about that?"

She jumped on him, her arms around his neck as she kissed his cheek "Kouga, you're the best, you know? I'll love to visit them. It will be safer also."

His arms went naturally, as she jumped on him, around her waist, holding her close to him as she talked 'I know I love Kagome but this is something totally new for me, I already like this woman and I feel comfortable with her. It's not love but it's a good feeling nonetheless. And she feels good, smells good...' he thought while inhaling her sweet scent and nuzzling her neck.

She looked at him and the way they were holding each other 'Gosh, he is, in deed, beautiful and he does feel good but... there's something else I'm feeling... I trust him. Weird... It's not love but I feel that he's already important to me somehow' slowly she slid her hand from his neck to his chest and he locked his gorgeous blue eyes with her brown ones.

"I think... well, when you pick me up then?" she asked in a soft voice, still staring inside his eyes.

"Tomorrow morning" he removed some hair out of her face with his claws "this way" he began in a soft and seductive voice "you can spend all day with me – he coughed and broke eye contact - I mean, with them"

She smiled as a light shade of pink tainted her cheekbones "Well, tomorrow morning it is, then" they were still holding and she lifted his face with her hand so she could look at his eyes again "Then, we could spend sometime together and maybe..." she paused staring at him.

He flushed a little but asked anyway "And maybe?"

She smiled and finished "And maybe we can become friends as well?"

He nodded "I believe we have a lot to talk about"

She broke their contact as she stood up and extended her hand so he could stand up as well. He accepted and she pulled him up. "So, I'll see you tomorrow then" she said still holding his hand.

"You bet" he said reaching her other hand and kissing both. Then he gave her a small grin and disappeared in a cloud of dust and leaves.

Kaoru gave a small grin as she thought 'this should be interesting, indeed. And he... well, he is what I can call a prince charming' she turned and went back to the village at the same time the sun started to set at the horizon. 'I might start enjoying this youkai thing'.

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End of Chapter 1
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A.N.: So what do you think? Did you guys like it? I hope so… well, please review and let me know!

Review!

Love you all!

Ja ne!

Insane