Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or Yu Yu Hakusho. However, I do own the huge number of OC's that are going to show up for this story.

There are only three OC's in this chapter.

Summary: She didn't want this. Never had. Until now. With change in the air, human hating demons and demon hating humans in the mix, along with four stubborn lords, pushy friends, and six asses, what's a girl to do to keep the sanity? The answer could be simple. Lose it.

Legend in the Making

Prologue

It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining down on the forest from its perch high in the summer sky. Trees danced to the wind's calming tune as birds chirped from the branches. Everything was peaceful.

"OW!"

Or, it had been.

With a growl, the young woman stumbled forward, glaring at the tree root that dared to try and trip her.

"Not. Friggen. Cool." She hissed, facing forward again and continuing on her way.

"Perhaps we should take a break?" A teenage male called out, landing gently behind the young woman. His sparkling blue-green eyes giving away his amusement at the young woman's antics. Light blue hair floated softly to rest back against him from his sudden trail toward the ground. His tan skin and sharp features accentuated the unnatural beauty of his youkai heritage.

Glowering, she spun on her heel to face him. "No. We do not need a break. We need to get out of this forest." Seeing the obvious amusement in his eyes, she internally growled, 'stupid dragon...stupid trees...stupid lords...'

"We'll reach the boarder of the Central lands in a few minutes." Another male, this one with short, spiky black hair and blazing red eyes stated, stepping up beside the woman.

The apparent dopple-ganger of the black haired male took up post at the other side of the young woman. "We will reach our destination within a few hours from that point. You can continue your mindless wandering from the border."

She rolled her eyes. "Gee...aren't you two nice. You all aren't going to miss me at all, are you? Can't even wait to get rid of me at the border of the Central lands."

"That's...not necessarily true." The dragon piped in, a light blush barely noticeable on his features. "Ryo and Ryu might not admit it, but...you have made an impact on us."

The first of the dopple-gangers to speak chimed in next, "A miko who helps youkai is unique. You won't be easily forgotten."

"Kyomatsu and Ryo have a point," The third male stated, crossing his arms across his chest and looking away from the woman as they all walked. "Without you, Kyomatsu would be dead and my brother would not have a working leg. We owe you quite a bit, Kagome-sama." Glancing over to her, he added on, "We'll spend one more night together before our departure."

She gave him a brilliant smile then, infecting them all with the same feeling, though they tried to hide it.

"Well. We're here." Kyomatsu, the dragon youkai stated, coming to a stop in a giant clearing overlooking numerous mounds of grassy terrain filled with many different kinds of flowers. "There's a river in the forested section just behind the trees over here. It will be a safer place to camp than out in the open." The group nodded, walking toward the area where, sure enough, a little river travelled through to the outskirts of the forest and straight toward the giant mountains in the distance. It moved toward the center of the Central lands where numerous youkai and humans alike were headed to apply for a position in the Central Court. "I'll search for food while scouting the area."

Ryu spoke next, "I'll gather some firewood."

Ryo shrugged, "I'll just help set everything up here before starting my scout."

"You don't have to Ryo. You can go help out with something else rather than help me."

He gave her a fanged smirk, eyes narrowed in good humor. "Kagome-sama, as much as I would love to help them...I don't feel like it."

She couldn't help but cough out a laugh at the other two's deadpanned expression as Ryo didn't try to hide his glee.

"Alright, alright. Thank you for your...consideration, Ryo. Now help me set up." Kagome stated as she set her pack down.

"I actually have to help?" Ryo questioned, receiving a glare in response. "Kidding, Kagome-sama, kidding."

As the two began to work on setting up camp, the other two headed out to do their respective jobs, gathering what was necessary for the night. When everyone got back to camp and dinner was being prepared, silence reigned for a while.

"I know we've only been together a week, but it feels like it's been forever..." Kagome said, breaking the silence as she watched the fire.

Murmurs of agreement could be heard from the group as Ryu turned his attention toward her. "What made you start your travels, Kagome-sama?"

Turning her gaze from the fire to the group, she gave a smile, then looked up to the night sky above, leaning back on her hands. "Some friends of mine said it would be a good idea to clear my head and think about what to do in the future. So, I'm making my way to my supposedly soon-to-be-home to give my declaration of 'no'." As an after thought, she added, "unless they somehow manage to get me to change my mind, of course. I wouldn't put it pass them."

"What are you saying 'no' to?" Ryo questioned, staring intently at her.

Her gaze turned to them, sheepish. "I made a promise, I'm not allowed to say until I tell them my answer." Getting an understanding nod in return, she ventured on. "You all never told me why you want positions in the Central Lands though. Is it because of honor?"

"Something like that." Kyomatsu stated, giving her an encouraging smile. "I do it for the honor and the pay."

"And the status it will give us." Ryu added in his two sense, catching Kagome's attention.

"Status?"

Ryo nodded. "The Central Lands are the connectors of all the other lands. In other words, the Four Lords will answer to the Central Lord. Meaning we have more status than the Four Lord's army, just under the Four Lord's themselves."

"So you two do it for the status and Kyo-kun does it for the honor and the pay? Nothing else?" Kagome questioned, brows furrowed.

"We have something to prove. If we can't prove ourselves, we can't raise our family status. We can be nobility." Ryo continued in determination, watching Kagome's face the entire time.

Her frown did not remove itself after that statement. "From what I understood, your family was already quite wealthy."

Ryu responded next. "They are. But if you can add on, why not do it? Tell me, if you were going to get a position in the Central Court, why would you do it?"

That statement caught her off guard. 'Why would I do it? I've been thinking of all the ways and reasons not to take the position...but never any on why I would.' She turned to them, "I don't know...I never thought about it before."

"You probably have a different mindset than we do on this, from what we know of you so far. But like us, it would have to mean something to you. Something like...being a healer. If you were in a position to heal many people over the few, you would find that more of a reason to stay than anything." Kyomatsu stated, thinking out loud as he placed a hand on his chin. "Wouldn't you agree?"

"I...suppose. Yes." Nodding, she looked back up to the sky. 'But simply healing someone and not getting to know them after the fact, or even before, would also affect my choice...' The aromatic scent of food caught her attention and she sat up, turning her attention to the fire. "Food's done." She stated as she started getting it all set up for everyone. "When do the interviews begin?"

"From now? The day after tomorrow." Kyomatsu said, accepting the meat. "Thank you, Kagome-sama."

She nodded, "You're welcome." The other two teens began eating their share, Kyomatsu, then Kagome joining afterward. When done, she quickly cleaned up, then went to sleep for the night.

By the time morning came around, they waited for Kagome to wake up, presenting to her their version of a meal by using the leftover deer meat from the night before. It was slightly burnt, but she ate it gratefully anyway. With help, she quickly cleaned up, they cleared up their camp, and said their goodbyes.

"Be careful on the road, Kagome-sama." Kyomatsu stated, watching her closely, "There are dangers hidden in every area."

"I'm sure she knows that, baka." Ryo scoffed, crossing his arms before giving her a nod.

Ryu did the same, speaking softly, "Perhaps we will meet again in the future."

She gave her own grin in return. "Un. We will. I promise." Turning her head toward the mountains, she said, "You may want to hurry. The line will be long by the time you reach the mountain pass."

They nodded and slowly, reluctantly turned around and took off to their interview. She watched them for a couple minutes before turning to look pass the river. 'What is that nagging pull?' Glancing once more toward the mountain pass, she turned and began to cross over the river, following the internal pull into the forest.

To Be Continued...

I know, I should be working on my other stories, but I have more motivation toward this one right now, considering it's been in my mind for about three years now. This is about...the fourth beginning I've created of this story alone, so I hope you like it!

This is a work in progress. Constructive criticism is welcome, flames are stared at blankly because why read it if it has no appeal to you? If you take the time to review a flame, I'm going to take it as a complement because you obviously had a decent emotional reaction to it and I have succeeded in writing a good prologue.

Thank you, and let me know your thoughts!

Full Moon Howl