A young girl happy in life ran thought the crowd of people with no shoes on her feet. Trying quickly to get to her father, so she to could see the King. She was not much more than six, and just like the dark sky above, she had stars in her eyes.
It was late fall, a leap year with a high orange moon.
"Kagome, there you are," Her father said as he picked up the smiling child and placed her on his shoulders. Her mother soon joined them, pregnant with her little brother. Everyone had gathered on the streets had hearing word of the King being in town, having come late in the night before. Now the whole village waited and watched.
"I see horses!" Kagome pointed. Sure enough, the King road in front, a few guarded men around him, and a son of great beauty behind them. It was a grand sight to behold, one you did not often see outside of war. This was no human King, nor prince. The horse went slow, the King paid no mind to the humans who had gathered, and the humans felt, for the most part, no threat from the demons passing by.
Kagome smiled as the prince came into view, "His markings, look!" She pointed.
Her mother gently pulled her hand down "Dont point Kagome, it isn't polite,"
Kagome tilted her head "I like his marking, there pretty,"
Just as the prince went by, he looked at her, and Kagome could have sworn the man, no, demon winked at her.
But then something drew her eyes away. Behind his horse, walking on bare feet, was a young human lady.
A human girl covered in robes and gold. She looked like a princess, but how could she be such with no shoes on her feet?
Kagome was confused, "Momma?"
"Tis a Hime Kagome," Her mother said quietly, knowing the question on her daughter's mind.
"A princess?"
"In sort, she comes from our villages highest house for there are no Miko's yet,"
Kagome watched as the young girl walked with her eyes close, but head held high. She had to be about seventeen.
"That poor girl," Kagome heard others around her whisper.
"I think it's time we go home," Her father said, pulling her to get her down; just as he lifted, she could make out a tear in the girls face, showing that she wasn't totally clean in the face. Kagome had many questions, and so after her bath, as her mother and father tucked her in with nothing more than firelight to make up for the sun, she asked.
"Why are they taking that girl away?"
Her parent looked at each other, then back at her.
"It is a rare moon we have, is it not Kagome?" Her mother asked,
Kagome agreed.
"Long ago in a book which many believe was written by the makers says that only during an orange moon can the power of two become one a thus a true child power be born thus bringing together two worlds on one rock and only then can the damned be saved,"
"Damned?" Kagome asked,
"Demon's Kagome," Her father spoke "They have no souls, no heart, that is why they are immortal,"
"But cant demons die?"
"Yes Kagome and then they cease to exist, never to join the stars in the sky,"
Kagome found that to be sad.
"So, during the year of an orange moon when a princes time comes to mate and breed they select a human Miko in hopes of her baring a such a child," Her mother added,
"She looked sad?" Kagome said thoughtfully,
"Perhaps a little to leave her family, but it is considered an honor for if she does conceive and become a mate, she to can live immortal and thus ensuring her family never see a day without food, or shelter it is just another way a Miko sacrifices herself, and it is also the only way to motherhood for someone with such holy power.
Kagome made an O with her face.
"But you need not worry about such things, my dear, for you are far too young to understand," Her mother kissed her.
"But that girl wasn't a Miko momma,"
"No, she wasn't, but Kikyo is way too young for such an honor,"
Kikyo was only eight, and the child everyone had their eye on.
"You have had an exciting day Kagome, its time for bed," her father said helping his wife up,
"One more question?"
They waited,
"This is my first orange moon,"
Her mother smiled "It is rare indeed Kagome, for iv only seen three in my lifetime,"
Her father blew out the light, her mother wished her goodnight, and they left her room. Kagome laid down and looked at the stars above through the wooden window. So many questions, but it wasn't important as her eyelids got heavy. Tomorrow the sun would rise, and she would go about her day playing mostly forgetting about the story her parent told her. But her mother knew it would not be the last time they spoke of it.
Her mother took a shaky breath "She so keen for six,"
"You need not worry my dear as you said you have only seen three in your lifetime, plus there is Kikyo,"
The tradition called for a Miko, and the only two in the village were way too young.
"Do you think he knew, Prince Touga looked right at her,"
"It's possible, but you need not worry," He said again "Our elder Miko hasn't found out yet, Kagome is safe from vow,"
"For now," Her mother said,
"Even if prince Touga becomes King and has a son, there would still have to be an orange moon and even if that did all align it would be Kikyo who would be chosen,"
"How can you be sure, Kagome would be closer in age to his son,"
"You know demons age funny, plus the guidelines say the eldest fertile Miko shall be chosen first,"
Her mother's only hoped was that Lord Touga would have only have one son. The problem was, he already had one son, one they didnt know about, and thus the tangled web of Kagome's fate begins.