She sat in the darkness praying those possessive red eyes would not find her. Suddenly she felt a hand run down her back "You awoke me, little miko and your debt to me shall be repayed. There is no escaping your fate."

.qxxp.

"Good one Kagome! You got us stuck with the project with the most research!" Kouga whispered sarcastically whilst swaying hazardously on one of the old library chairs.

Snorting she looked up from the book she was reading "I never commanded you to join my group! It was completely of your own free will remember." she chided him before returning to the page she was reading.

Kouga let out an irritated growl "Well it was either with you or studying our main export with Hinata... I definitely did not want to go and learn about the wonders of rice."

Ignoring him Kagome persisted with reading, trying to find any further information about the infamous legend.

Turning the page she found a small picture depicting a white haired man pinned up against the tree along with a woman dressed in white and red garbs standing below holding a bow.

Analysing the picture further she noticed that the man had been pinned to the tree via and arrow which must have come from the priestess.

Below the picture, was a small paragraph of writing.

The tale of the Miko and the Demon originated back to the feudal era when the town was a thriving hub for business and growth. Many families chose to make it their home due to their hopes of being able to create a stable living environment. Despite the towns years of prosperity, it was said to have attracted a demon of deception which poisoned the villagers leading many to their deaths. It was said that the miko Kikyo had made a deal with another demon to get rid of the demon plaguing their village. The demon accepted the deal and defeated the demon but instead ensuring her end of the bargain was met the priestess pinned the demon to the tree.

Kouga had become bored with watching Kagome read and instead sought out a new way to annoy her via tapping his pen against the table.

She tried in vain to ignore Kouga's attempts but ended up acknowledging him via an annoyed glare "Are you always this annoying?"

"Only around pretty girls." He said shooting her a wink knowing that he had won.

"How long did it take you to come up with that line idiot?" she said closing the book, deciding that she could investigate it further at home without Kouga having the ability to annoy her.

Deciding to ignore the insult Kouga continued on "So did you find anything of interest aye partner?"

Picking up her school bag along with a couple of other books she made her way from the library table to the small desk.

"Well before you decided to be annoying yes I did." she said placing the books on the desk before the librarian "Hi, sorry to bother you but can I borrow these 3 books please?"

The librarian looked up and Kagome was able to get a clear look at his face. He wasfairly young as librarians come and his purple eyes definitely were out of the ordinary "Why of course but may I just ask you one question?"

Looking back at Kouga, who just shrugged "Yeah sure, what do you want to ask?"

Moving out from behind the desk the man came and got one knee down in front of her grabbing her hand.

Kagome and Kouga both watched the young man with confused expressions 'What in the heck?'

Suddenly he looked up into Kagomes eyes asking "Will you bare my child?"

'What is the f-' She thought hurriedly and before she could even respond she felt the man let go of her hand.

"Yeah right you stupid pervert. Keep your hands off Kagome!" Kouga growled with his foot in the mans back.

Regaining her composure Kagome ranted to the man "What kind of question is that?"

He just grinned from his place on the floor "Ha! I guess it was kind of out of the blue wasn't it?"

They both just sent him an annoyed glance thinking 'Our of the blue wasn't even half of the issue here...'

Kouga finally moved his foot off the mans back allowing him to stand up "Thank you! The name is Miroku my fair lady." He said holding his hand out to Kagome.

She hesitantly took his hand "Kagome... So can I borrow those books now?"

As if remember that they had actually come there with a purpose Miroku sped back around the counter "Why of course! Now lets see..." he paused upon seeing the books she had selected.

Wondering why he had stopped Kagome hesitantly asked "Is everything okay Miroku?"

Snapping him back out of his trance Miroku let out a small laugh "Of course sorry! Doing research about the demon and miko legend aye?"

"I am... Do you know much about the legend Miroku? Kagome asked hesitantly.

He was quiet for a moment before responding "I know a little about it. I... My family has been in the town for generations and it has been said that from that incident a curse was layed upon out family."

Kagome was intrigued. In all the books she was looking through none had mentioned any others being involved with that curse.

"So how exactly was your family cursed? Did the demon do something to you?" Kagome asked watching as Miroku turned pale and looked down at his hand which was covered by purple cloth and beads.

"Apparently it wasn't the demon who cursed us... but the miko of the town..." he answered slowly clenching his fist.

"The miko?" Kagome asked "Why would she curse your family?"

"It was because we were thought to be conspiring with the demon who had helped save the town. So it was that she condemned him to the tree and my soul to be bound to his so that we would never know rest or death." He said slowly, his eyes focused on the world outside the window

'His soul?' Kagome thought staring at the man who soon seemed to regain his senses "So says the legend anyway. Or at least my grandfathers side of it." his happy persona had returned but Kagome swore she could still sense he knew more than he was letting on.

Thinking it better to leave the investigation there for now she smiled "Thanks for telling us that Miroku... it was very interesting!"

He grinned handing the books back to her "If you ever crave any more stories or wish to see me I live on the shine to the west."

Nodding her head she said her thanks and left the library.

.qxxp.

"What a weirdo aye?" Kouga said breaking the silence as they both made their way out of the library.

Punching him in the arm they both walked quickly to their favourite hangout which was simple a bench on a hill overlooking the small town.

"Come on Kagome don't tell me you actually believe that pervert!" Kouga said "He obviously made up that sob story to try and hit on you!"

"Maybe." She replied before adding "Or maybe it did happen and he's just really sensitive about it is all?"

"Pfft. Only an idiot would believe that garbage." Kouga scoffed crossing his arms angrily "If you let all guys fool you with their pathetic lies then don't blame me for what happens to you."

Rage bubbled through her as she stopped in her tracks "Who in the hell do you think you are? Nobody ever made you responsible for me! You especially don't have that right to much such decisions!"

A flash of regret crossed over Kouga's features before he retorted "Fine you like being everyman's ride so mu-" he was cut off as his head was snapped to the side along with a stinging sensation across his cheek.

Bringing a hand up to touch his cheek he looked down at where he thought Kagome should be but she had already begun walking away from him.

"Shit." He growled to himself before setting off after her still rubbing his cheek.

Catching up to her he noticed her head was looking anywhere but at him and he felt guilt course through him once again.

"Kagome…" he started and waited for a response.

Not receiving one he walked along with her in silence.

'Stupid idiot! How dare he insinuate that about me? He's supposed to be my friend.' She thought as she trudged along entering some nearby woods, completely dismissing the idea of going to their favourite spot.

Moving swiftly through the trees and brush she heard him attempt to break the silence once more "Kagome where in the heck are you going?"

"To do research. Maybe you should go off somewhere else, I wouldn't want you to get the wrong impression of me or anything" She said bluntly turning around to face him.

Sighing Kouga rubbed the back of his head nervously "Kagome you know I didn't mean it."

"Save it Kouga. Just go and do some research I'm going for a walk to cool my head." Kagome said turning around before trudging off as Kouga stood where he was watching her go.

"Women…" he grumbled before heading off to their spot "If shes not working then I'm sure as hell not."

.qxxp.

"Stupid Kouga." She grumbled making her way through the brush "Who does he think he is?"

She continued walking in this manner until she took a quick glance at her surroundings realising that she had no idea where she was.

"Damn it." She grumbled trying to gather her bearings when she saw a small line of smoke rising not too far from her.

'Well it could be local who I could ask about the myth?' she thought she made her way towards the small fire.

As she got closer she could see a house…no it was a temple?

'What is a temple doing out here in the middle of nowhere?' she thought to herself as she got closer and noticed a woman standing out the front.

She had long brown hair and was waxing a big boomerang.

"Ahhh Hello! Sorry to bother you!" Kagome chirped out as she made her way towards the woman who had a startled expression upon her face.

"Excuse me but who are you?" The woman asked placing down the boomerang and wax.
"Sorry for the intrusion, My names Kagome Higurashi…"She trailed off as she glanced down at the strange object "I wandered away from my friend and ended up here! Sorry to interrupt your…"

Kagome was at a loss for words, what was the woman doing with that giant boomerang anyways… surfing on it maybe?

'That's ridiculous, the oceans no where near here.' She thought herself as the woman chuckled.

"I was just polishing up an old family air loom. My name is Sango by the way." She replied with a smile.

Returning her smile Kagome began looking around the building before her.

"Wow I love your house. It's really impressive!" Kagome said in awe as Sango chuckled.

"Why thank you, its been in my generation for a while." Sango then moved towards the front entrance picking up the large boomerang she was waxing "Would you like to come in for some tea Kagome?"

Kouga crossed her mind but she quickly decided that him doing a little research by himself would be a good thing. "Sure Sango, that would be lovely."

Smiling Sango slid open the door for Kagome and they entered her home.

Truthfully it looked a lot more like a temple than a home, around the room were ancient weapons along with other memorabilia.

"Wow Sango, you sure do have a lot of weapons…" Kagome said taking a place by the table as Sango moved to make some tea.

"That would be because this used to be an ancient demon hunters clan's residence." Sango said eyeing the weapons.

"That's amazing!" Kagome exclaimed "I haven't read much about this place, I've been researching the tale of the miko and the demon. Would the clan have ever had anything to do with that tale?"

Sango was quiet for a moment as she poured tea out for them both before taking a seat across from her.

"The miko and the demon you say? The clan that once resided here was very familiar with that particular legend." Sango replied looking uneasy "I take it you already know the tale?"

Kagome nodded "I know as much as books and the guy at the library can tell me."

It was silent for a few moments while Sango looked at her with an unreadable expression.

Unable to take the silence or Sango's gaze any longer Kagome broke the silence. "So how was the clan who lived here related to the demon? If you don't mind telling me of course?"

Snapping out of her gaze Sango smiled "Well it began with the first demon who terrorised the village, the clan was in charge of bringing it down. But before they could they were all slaughtered by the leaders son who was being possessed by the demon who was dubbed Naraku."
"That's awful! Was the boy able to get unpossessed?" Kagome asked

"Eventually, but by then the damage had been done and all who remained within the clan was a boy and the leaders daughter." She paused looking into her tea "The priestess had managed to break whatever bond the demon had placed on the boy but unfortunately it was too late as the demon had also planted a poison within his blood which was slowly killing him."

"The girl swore revenge on Naraku and made a deal with the priestess who had freed her brother that she would follow her to help end the creatures life. Eventually they had another companion joined them who's family had also been cursed by the demon and slowly they fell in love." Sighing she continued "It wasn't long before they encountered another demon who made a deal with the priestess to rid of the demon plaguing the town. The demon did as was commanded but when it was time for him to collect the priestess ordered the companions to do battle it the demon and slay it."

"What? Why?" Kagome gasped

Sango was quiet before she answered "I believe she was scared… whatever she had promised to the demon was too much for her to give."

Kagome wondered what was the deal? Why was it that no one else had any information as to what had actually been agreed too?

"The two companions refused saying that the demon had aided them and perhaps there could be another compromise. The priestess was not happy and sealed the demons sprit away herself along with cursing the two companions."

"What did she curse the companions with?" Kagome asked watching Sango closely.

Looking straight up into Kagome's eyes she answered "To be alive as long as the demons soul resides within this earthly plain."

"Wow the priestess sounds like a bitch." Kagome said out loud without realising it.

Sango let out a small chuckle "I suppose it does seem this way, although fear does drive people to do unpredictable things."

"I suppose… Sango…" Kagome said quietly as she continued "Do you know anything about seeing red eyes and weird messages everywhere?"

Sango's eyes widened "Red eyes and strange messages… I might… Why do you ask?"

Scratching the back of her head nervously Kagome went to answer when suddenly there was a large bang from outside.

Sango and Kagome both stood up before rushing to the door.

Carefully they opened it to find a message written on the ground along with claw marks on the deck.

Reading the message Kagome's eyes widened "A pact once made and a debt that must be repaid. I'm coming."

Kagome felt her thoughts swimming as Sango tried to communicate with her.

The world around her started to spin before darkness slowly covered her vision.

.qxxp.

The flickering light of a candle burned duly as Sango laid back on her futon watching the shapes slither across the ceiling.

"You met her too I take it?" A voice said breaking her out of her thoughts.

"Miroku… when did you get here?" Sango said rising from the futon "Yes I met Kagome…"

He chuckled "Only a little while ago… she resembles her a lot right…"

Sango nodded "Its far to similar for my liking only her personality is completely different… also Inuyasha visited tonight while she was here."

Miroku eyes widened "What are you talking about Sango? There's no way?"

"The seal which bound him… could it have worn off?" Sango asked attentively as they both looked at one another.

"No… maybe?" Miroku answered running his hands through his hair "I guess there would be only one way to find out?"

Nodding her head in agreement Sango left the room before changing into a black and pink skin tight outfit. "Lets go then."

.qxxp.

Second chapter done!

Thanks for reading~