I have inserted a few japanese words - if you need an explanation - let me know

Thanks to all who reviewed...I wanted to write you back, but miserably failed. Could you, please, tell me HOW I can answer you. I'd like to express special gratitude for indicating my mistake in spelling Kikyo's name.

Chapter2

I've never expected things to turn out this way

After a wild race on a bumpy road Kagome decided to relax a bit. She had persuaded one of her attendants to lend his horse. A few charming smiles and two victory dances later she pranced on a cream-colored animal. Her steady voice hovered in the evening air. A permission to change out of her tiresome kimono into hakama and haori evoked endless stream of laughs.

Atmosphere was friendly and frivolous. Kagome induced her convoy to reach a remote village, where they will rest and enjoy local hot springs.

Night was delicate and charming. Concealed birds trilled away like a nightingales. Being the only woman in a company of nine men she didn't feel embarrassed or constrained. Frequent clashes with trespassers and fight-lovers left an indelible mark.

In a distance they heard a lonely wolf howling. After a minute others joined him, singing their own wistful and gripping tune to the sickle moon. All the talks were ceased for some time. Humans listened to the melody, secretly taking pleasure in this natural sound.

A grayish man started to recall episodes from his youth, speaking hoarsely about mythical creatures that roamed Earth. Kagome, sensing fabulous aromas and something entirely new, was thrilled with a foretaste.

"With their fantastic strength and speed they meet each other in inhuman battles. You can never know how they'll decide your fate. Be aware if you have angered or offended one of them."

"Yeah, I heard all about them. So vile and revolting. Like huge man-eating animals they tear humans to pieces, bathing in blood every day…"

Noticing Kagome's petrified expression the old man stopped his comrade's chatter.

"Oh, do not you worry, my Lady. This verdant man has not seen the life to draw a single conclusion."

Kagome nodded and relaxed, seeing village lights. She took her seat in the carriage and attendants drew themselves up to their full height. Sighing, young miko put on her legs pokkuri and fastened outer kimono.

Having left behind about hundred miles, travelers were exhausted. An elder marked out a house to spend the night in and village women helped them to settle down. Sashimi and miso-soup were brought. Kagome calmly dissolved all vasabi in her soy-sauce, which caused accidental glances to turn into stares. That green root was widely known for its sharp relish, but the girl even didn't flinch at the flavor. Well...tastes differ.

Being a naughty girl, Kagome instead of plunging into invigorative sleep went out for a walk. Naturally she stumbled across men, who were having a boisterous discussion. It seemed there had been odd disappearances among the inhabitants of nearby lands. It was rumored that malicious and merciless...creatures were getting more and more impudent. Deciding it was bedtime, Kagome turned around in order to go back. But she heard a name of a palace, which sounded to excess familiar. 'It might be worth to stay here for a little bit. If I find out more information about the palace, where I'm going to be kept, I will apply it...'

"...yes, I know. The Kobju palace is a place for many nobles' meetings. Its residents have a connection or an agreement with youkai!"

"You make it sound too horrible. In my opinion they are not SO bloodthirsty…"

"I KNOW. But…an alliance with Naraku?"

"…"

"Do you mean…ohhhh, now I understand. Two months ago I found out that master Higurashi was up to his ears in debt. No idea – HOW he managed to make them, but last week everything returned to normal, even better. A friend of mine, who was guarding our palace one night, noticed strange movement. He went to investigate and discovered misshapen creatures, bringing chests into a family vault. The agitated boy said his heart almost stopped beating, when a few things fell on the ground. Those 'things' were precious stones AND under a woolen cloth he caught a sight of golden bars!"

After a temporary silence a sturdy soldier found his voice.

"But what are you so anxious about?!"

"Knowing master's personality, I would say he had sold something...I bet it's the far-famed sword."

"...isn't it a sort of relic?"

"The Invisible sword of Soul shows the level of faith and strength. Of course this sword has intriguing moments in its history, although no one wishes to speak about them. It was made with a help of youkai Lord. Do you comprehend now? An article with demon's power is mankind's sanctuary, an object of worship!"

"Are you trying to tell us that...it was sold to Naraku?!"

"It is my assumption. But I reckon it's useless to him – a man like Naraku cannot master that sword...if the tales are true."

Having heard enough, Kagome made her way towards the house, recalling that she had never seen the sacred object.

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Astonishingly, but the next morning Kagome was quick on her toes. After a parting with the hospitable village they took off. To young miko's affliction she was not allowed to deprive any attendant of his horse, because today they were going to encounter another carriage.

In a blank despair that her precious time was flowing by in vain she opened her trunk. Finding a package with scarce herbs she decided to brew a medicine for healing deep contaminated wounds. Certainly it didn't matter that she was inside of a bouncing coach.

Spreading her aura, Kagome formed an immovable platitude. Pulling out an oil-stove, mineral stone and bronze bowls, mortar vessel, pestle and gaunt tools, she opened a casket. Repugnant smelling grasses caused following men to ask in alarm whether everything was all right. Their uneasy voices lead miko onto useful thoughts...apparently she could cause a hell lot of turmoil with such 'exotic' plants...She would ponder over it later. A curative remedy was waiting to be simmered.

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Excessive noise stirred curiosity in Kagome. Moving aside an embroidered curtain, she saw a carriage, loaded with numerous rolls, chests, parcels. A lively girl leaned out of the window and started waving.

Swiftly and successfully disregarding a traditional ceremony of welcoming speech, two coaches picked their way towards Kobju palace. Kagome, feeling a stroke of luck, gaily listened to girl's chatter.

"So call me Ayame. I'm tired of all those titles and am determined to have some unlimited fun at last. I feel like dressing into wolf skin and having a wild dance contest, and rushing about and meeting tall, blond, suntanned, brawny, blue-eyed youkai..."

"WHAT!"

"What's wrong? They are so dreamy..."

"B-but, youkai! I mean- ugly monsters."

"Hey. I guess you've been too long with prejudiced old people. Or maybe someone wanted you to be extremely scared of them. Just like me you are sent to Kobju palace in order to learn to obey. They try to mislead you so there wouldn't be a single chance to socialize with demon population."

"...youkai won't butcher me in the first instance?"

"As long as you are not afraid of them or do not grovel before them in terror."

Digesting this information, Kagome relaxed. Nothing wrong would happen, would it?

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In the end of the 13th day the sky was velvety and Indian blue. Air – filled with intoxicating spices – lulled girls to sleep.

"That's the life! I feel like I'm home at last. And that light sensation awakes something deep inside of my heart. As if I have to prepare myself for a battle or I don't know..."

The carriage suddenly stopped its movement. Unfamiliar sounds surrounded them. A door was flung open and a silhouette appeared.

"What do we have here? Do us a favor and come out quietly...no use to go into hysteric."

Girls warily got out of the coach. Before them stood ten shadowed figures. One took a step forward, which caused Ayame to inhale and blurt out immediately.

"Wow! So kawaii!"

Figures gave a start and fixed their gazes on the red-head.

"But, Ayame! He is a brunet. You yearned to meet a blond."

"No, no. He is so gorgeous. What is a blond mane compared to his long raven tail?.."

Amazed and amused voice interrupted them.

"I guess you're going to live after all. Such…exotic flowers simply have to join our trip to a connoisseur of beauty. Right this way, ladies…"

Carefully looking around, Kagome saw petrified attendants and smiled softly at them. Snatching two packages, she turned to Ayame, who was arguing with their captors. Apparently they didn't want to drag along four large trunks, oh, well…

Girls were scooped up and soon two derelict coaches disappeared from their view.

After a three hour run a camp was reached. A short rest, separation from Ayame and new arms picked her up. Not being able to fall asleep with all those jumps, Kagome heard a talk that awoke her mind.

Now she HAD to escape, HAD to avoid a destiny, her abductors had prepared for her.

But they were youkai…that meant inhuman qualities, like sight, sense of smell and strength. She had to plan thoroughly...and straight away.

The following midnight met her in a centre of a bustling camp.Captors, taking a rest, weren't watching her closely. It was her chance.

Kagome moved quickly, pulling out a herbal collar and putting it around her neck. Her scent was veiled immediately, concealing peculiar features, age, sex and even race. Luckily, her second package contained black-green gi and in her childhood she had enough practice with phantom spells.

No one paid attention to an armed youkai teen who left the humming camp without a backward glance and dissolved in the thickness of a western night…

That's all for the time being. I'll add more action later. Just give me a note if I could amend this somehow…Perhaps i should go more into details...