Author Note: Hello, this being my first story on this account, I would love some constructive criticism as I hope to improve what faults I can. I do hope you enjoy :) ~Snapps

Disclaimer: I do not, nor will I ever, own Inuyasha. Rumiko Takahashi is the true mastermind.

Now, as a heads up I will also say that this first chapter is pretty much going to follow the manga with a couple changes here and there, but I still do not own it or any characters from it.

...Prologue…

"Jewel of Four Souls… you say?" Kagome sat on the floor looking at a certain keychain expectantly as if waiting for some unforeseen power to erupt from the tiny glass trinket. When nothing of the sort happened, the expectant gaze transferred to her Grandfather.

"Yes well, as long as you keep this, your house will be safe and your business will prosper!" He jived from his place across from her, holding up a similar keychain with a salesman's smile.

"These little things?" She peered once again at the keychain in her hand suspiciously. "And we're going to sell them claiming this for fact? Will people even believe this nonsense?" Kagome asked her Grandpa dubiously.

"My dear child! Don't insult the wisdom of an old man!" He looked horrified. "Kagome, the long history of the Shikon Jewel begins a long time ago-"

"So Grandpa, do you remember what day it is tomorrow?" Kagome asked suddenly giddy about the thought as she set the charm back into one of many boxes full of them.

Ignoring her interruption, or perhaps not even seeming to notice, he smiled. "Of course, how could I forget my lovely Granddaughter's seventeenth birthday?" The elderly Higurashi answered as he stood and began rummaging through a pile of crumpled packaging paper. "Ah here it is. Now I know it's a bit early but, happy birthday Kagome!" He handed her a small, square box wrapped in light blue wrapping paper and a pink bow that she promptly took with a huge grin.

"Oh wow a present? Grandpa you shouldn't-…! Have… " A vague expression crossed her face instantly as she lifted some sort of creature's paw, or clawed hand as it more closely resembled, from the small container. 'Really Grandpa… you shouldn't have…' She turned it over a couple times examining it before handing it to her playful cat perched in her lap. "Here Buyo, eat."

Kagome's Grandpa was flabbergasted, "K-Kagome! Don't give that to Buyo! That's an ancient, and very expensive, artifact!"

Buyo chomped on the object and made a face, letting go as he pranced off. "What exactly is it?" She asked glaring at the fur ball that refused to take it off her hands.

"It is an authentic mummified Kappa hand of course!" Grandpa stated cheerily, proud he acquired such a prize.

"Of course…" She wilted, placing the claw back into the box.

"It brings good luck as long as it is on your person. The history of this unique artifact starts a long time ago-"

"Kagome, Grandpa, breakfast is ready!" Souta called.

"Coming!" Kagome answered as she dropped the gift box on the ground in front of the elderly Higurashi before running to the dining table.

Kagome tapped each shoe-covered toe on the floor before darting out the door. "I'm leaving for school!" she called back but stopped as she noticed the shrine door open. "Souta, what are you doing in the well house? That's not some place to play you know."

" But Buyo ran in there!" Souta protested as he peered into the dark building, holding Buyo's bowl of food.

"So go get him." She offered as they both entered the well house and stood at the top of the small set of stairs leading down to the Bone-Eater's Well.

"B-but it's so creepy down there…" Souta complained and inched forward slowly. "Buuuuyooooo… come on you dumb cat don't go to such a scary place!"

Scratch scratch scratch

"Aaaaah! There's something down there!" Kagome's younger brother yelped as he lurched backwards, pointing at the well.

"Like maybeeee… the cat?" She quipped. "I guess I'll get him."

Scratch scratch scratch

'Wait a minute… the sound is coming from inside the well?' Kagome stared at the covered well, and could've sworn she saw the seal peeling up at the sides, singed. Descending the stairs she kept a wary eye on the well. Once she reached the bottom, Kagome stooped to look for her suddenly illusive cat. "Buuyoooo…"

CRASH

"Eeyaaaaahh!" Kagome stood in a hurry and stumbled backwards almost falling on the steps.

"Sis! Don't scream like that you scared me!" Souta complained, putting his hand over his fast beating heart.

"Why you…" She muttered glaring up at her brother before something else caught her eye. Buyo came trotting up to Kagome and rubbed on her leg. "Buyo… you naughty cat, you shouldn't be in here either you know." She stooped to pick up the purring trespasser and scrubbed behind his ears. Just before she turned to go back up the stairs of the shrine, she stopped.

Scratch scratch scratch

Kagome felt a steady warmth start radiating from her left side. 'Wh-what the…?' She turned to look at the well once more, just as the last bit of the seal was beginning to burn off and the wood covering the well cracked in several places, looking like it was about to break…

End Note: Again I hope you enjoyed :) Please do me the honor of reviews and helpful criticism