Hope

Chapter One

Prologue

Disclaimer: I do not profit off of any of my stories. These rights go strictly to Rumiko Takahashi…unfortunately.

Life is too short to wake up with regrets. Love the people who treat you right, forget the ones who don't. Believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said it would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.

I staggered down the busy Tokyo streets. My facial expression, lost and forlorn, discouraged any positive attention from ongoing passerby. As I continued aimlessly down the never ceasing road, I felt my long stringy tresses cascade down my back, swaying in the draft. While walking, I ran my hands through it. Gosh, I couldn't even remember the last time I had my hair washed.

Coming ahead, a stop sign prevented me from crossing the four way intersection. Surrounded by nothing but strangers, I began to feel claustrophobic. My mind, in the fragile state it was already in, reeled back to past memories and pains. My mind can't handle the pain and depression, and caused me to lash out in a surprising and inhuman way. One man beside me coffee flew out of his hand as he jumped back from me. I bet he thought I was deranged.

The crosswalk light began flashing green and the crowd soon dissipated. As the man walked away, he mumbled angrily aloud, "Street junkie."

I made sure to send him a glare before calming myself down. I slowly inhaled, succeeding in my task.

The crosswalk violently emitted a red light just as I was about to cross. I crossed my arms in defeat, my perfectly plump lips sported a pout. My gaze snapped out of trance when I heard a cry in the distance. Moments later, a small boy darted past me, in attempt to run into the streets. I acted on pure adrenaline, and yanked him just out of reach from the speeding traffic.

"Are you crazy?!" I panted. The boy's shiny pools of silver widened in fear. I looked back to the direction he had came from; no one was coming. I looked him over: No shoes, hole in shirt, baggy jeans. Mentally, I wanted to breakdown and cry for the young lad, but in reality, I knew I had to be strong. It came with the age or something. Besides, I was not any better off: Soggy house slippers, pajama top, running pants.

"Where are your parents?" He didn't answer me. "Your mom…or dad?" He broke down sobbing. What was I suppose to do? I was only twenty-two! I didn't need that in my life. It slowly began to rain. I guess my maternal instinct kicked in, because I scooped him up and ran to a nearby alley. The boy whimpered, and I guess I reflex I never knew I had kicked in. I pulled him in close to soothe his cries. I cooed and hummed to help him be quiet. It worked!! Thank God for blessing me with naturally nurturing instincts! The boy stopped looking so scared after a moment. But only for that moment.

A loud, booming roar echoed through the air, and a bright strip of white ricocheted across the sky. He instantly started to cry…again. Looking across the sky, I noticed that the only thing that stood between us and the water was a dangling piece of scrap metal. It's funny, I always noticed stuff when it was almost too late. It tipped back and forth, and I swear I thought I was on a see-saw. Luckily, I moved fast enough to dodge the falling debris.

I looked down at the little boy, and he smiles at me. It sort of looks a little admiring…and I liked it. But something always has to ruin my happy times. The little boy leaped from my arms, and dashed off.

It seemed like ages before I finally caught up to him. I think my jaw dropped. No, scratch that. I know it dropped, and I think I caught a couple of flies. The little boy just stood there, smiling so hard, I think his mouth got soar. Behind him was some sort of…fort? I don't even know. It was…different. The next part scared me. He just took off and crawled in. Of course, being the loving person I am, I crawled in after him in fear of what might happen. It wasn't because it was raining cats and dogs. No.

Wow was all I could push out of my mouth. It wasn't that big. It wasn't just small either. I wasn't really surprised when he picked up some small keychain light. I mean, what was he supposed to have, a roaring fire? To me, it was a roaring fire. He smiled, again, then curled into a little human croissant drifting to sleep. That was when I realized that I was still on all fours.

I tried to sit up, but my head hit the top. Great. I prayed to the kamis for some shelter, and they gave me this. Maybe I should've been more specific. Either way, I was stuck here, so might as well get comfortable. I lied down, and shivered once the asphalt touched my skin. If I was cold, he was freezing. Even in the dim light, could see his silhouette shivering. I pulled him closer to my body in an icy embrace. If we were going to be in here together, we can at least share body heat.

At first I felt him wiggle and squirm. I was about to let him go, but he settled down, and I heard his loud breathing. I could hear the phlegm in his throat. I bet sleeping out here on this cold concrete gave him a cold. Somehow, it soothed me to hear someone else's even breathing near me. It had been a long time since I had. Not what happened with…

Before I knew it, I was asleep myself. Nodding off deep into the magical land of oz.

A/N: Okay. Here it is. This is the only chapter that will be in Kagome's POV. I just felt as though this way you would be hooked on the story faster this way! Add it to your favorites! Add it to your subscription list! More importantly review!!