A/N: I know...I'm terrible. I really should be working on my primary story, but like I posted on my profile, this is one of 23 stories I'm working on! I can't just work on one thing, it's just not how I roll :)

Now without any further a due

ENJOY~

Discaimer: I do not own InuYasha or any of its characters...

CHAPTER 1: THE BEAST IN THE WOODS

She was chosen out of dozens of beautiful girls. She, who was ordinary, she who was of common birth, she who was the lesser of her family. She was chosen to be offered to the beast in the woods.

The beast of the woods, what's that you ask? Well he was just that, a beast. It had been many centuries ago that 'something' had come upon her land, devastating crops and villages alike. Many rumored that there was a beast that roamed the land in the dead of the night, leaving nothing but death and disease in its wake. Many rumored that the reason for his search was for a beautiful maiden, for he always ended his nightly treks howling before a village. In that village there was a number of beautiful women. Having no idea which one he searched for the village sent five of their most fair skinned, beautiful, and gentle spoken women they had. Some choices were obvious but they were uncertain of sending one specific female. Her name was Izayoi. She was considered a princess because of her life style and appearance. Many doubted that Izayoi could be the woman the beast searched for because she never left her tower, some even doubted she was even alive because no one had seen her since she was a child.

When the time came to present the five maidens all eyes were on Izayoi. Standing next to all others she seemed to glow. Her skin was as white as snow, her hair glistened brilliantly in the moonlight despite the red hood she wore to conceal herself, and she seemed to glide as she walked. With great deplore the village bade the women farewell. Standing in one straight line at the border of the woods they 'wandered' into the woods. The village waited anxiously for someone, anyone, to appear at the edge of the woods. They were uncertain if the beast would take what he wanted and be done with it, or would slaughter every woman sent in. As the hours passed and the sun began to rise there was an odd change to the wind, moments later there was a shout and a howl released into the air and out came four women from the woods. All but Izayoi.

The women spoke of a large sliver, white canine roaming the woods sniffing and growling. He would turn to a woman, sniffing and snarling, searching for something then shaking his large muzzle and turning to the next woman. The cycle continued until he reached Izayoi. They said that the moment the beast laid eyes on Izayoi its whole frame went rigid. Next thing they knew they were sent flying in all directions as a great wind of raw power surrounded the beast and he became smaller and smaller. When all went still they laid eyes on what could have been the most beautiful being they'd ever seen.

The man had skin as radiant as Izayoi's and hair as flowing as a river. His eyes were a molten golden color that put any jewel to shame, and on each side of his face he had a blue gash-like marking high upon his cheeks. He almost shyly approached Izayoi before enveloping her in a loving embrace. He then placed his head in the crook of her neck and bit down on her, making her release a shout, which was followed by his howl. The women took that as their cue to leave and were quick about it.

That was in the Sengoku period (17th century) and now a whole century later Kagome's town was to offer their next group of women, except this time they chose children. Why? Well because of Izayoi. Izayoi, as a child, was like any other. She was outside on a daily basis, she ran, she played, she fell, and she even snuck away sweets like every other child. At the age of six all that was taken from her because of her sickly state. After the age of six she was rarely seen again, she was kept indoors and away from any kind of outside interactions. The most fresh air she would receive was from her balcony, one hour every day. So the town felt that if they gave the same treatment to the next generation of offerings they would have something of a similar occurrence, after all they had no idea if it was the same beast or a new one.

That was the tale of the oh so infamous beast in the forest.

So now there she was, standing next to some of her best friends and some of her worst enemies, lined to be chosen for the beast. Personally Kagome thought that the whole thing was stupid. She was just a kid, not even a very cute one at that, especially compared to some of the other girls in her town. The only unique thing about her were her eyes. She had brilliant icy blue eyes that no other person in her town had. The reason behind that was because her mother had married with a European sailor, giving her greater height, different eye color, and a long face instead of a regular round face. In her opinion that didn't really put her apart from the rest, but the adults, as always, had a different idea.

So Kagome, along with her best friend Sango and her worst enemies Kikyou, Kagura, and Tsubaki, were chosen to be locked away until the age of nineteen.

"There is quite the variety of females this time." commented a middle aged woman.

"I never would have guessed that three miko, a demon hunter, and a wind sorceress would be chosen. Quite the variety indeed." commented another middle aged man.

"As Kagome's grandfather, are you concerned for her well being?"

"Of course not. What about yourself Kaede?"

"Kikyou is...my granddaughter and I love her, but..."

"...But?"

"...But she has not made the best decision in terms of her friendships. It will not reflect well upon her when she finally learns of the reality of what she and others are." Kaede admitted.

The two spoke in hushed tones as the young ladies were filled in on what their lives would be like for the next thirteen years.

"Grandpa!" wailed Kagome as she threw herself into her dear grandfather's arms.

"What is it dear?" he said with a small chuckle.

"I'll only be able to see grandpa once a week! And I can only go outside for one hour! I don't wanna do this grandpa! I wanna play all day and be with my family!" her voice became muffled when she began to cry into his haori.

Kagome's grandfather stroked Kagome's hair affectionately and kissed the top of her head. Kagome was only a child and she had already lost her father a few months prior along with her grandmother and her mother had just given birth to her little brother Souta and rarely had time for the girl like she used to. Unlike most children in her town she had only one grandparent and one parent to rely on. Her father's parents had died years before Kagome's mother and father met and her father's boat sunk while they were crossing the sea to do trade in Asia. Her grandmother had been sickly for months when her father left and both died within the same month. Now she was going to be taken away from her family after losing most of it. Kagome had really excited to be able to bond with her new little brother too.

Kagome's grandfather sighed, "Chin up child, what have I told you before." he said lifting her face from his chest.

"An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backwards. S-So when life drags you down with difficulties it means i-it's going to launch you into something great. So just focus and keep a-aiming." she sniffled and rubbed her eyes.

"That's my girl, now learn to buck up." he said giving her a bump beneath her chin with his finger.

Kagome nodded and climbed down from her grandfather's embrace and smiled,"Would father be proud?" she asked shyly.

Kagome's grandfather knelt down and smiled sincerely,"Of course. This means you're so beautiful that they're making you a princess." He ruffled her hair and stood,"Now go on, tell your mother the great news."

Kagome nodded,"Yeah, okay! Come on Sango I'm gonna tell momma and baby Souta!" she said happily grabbing her best friend by the hand.

"Worry not, I will keep close watch on the child. After all I'll be the one training the young ones to be ladies." Kaede said patting her dear friends back.

"Yes my dearest Aika would have loved that, you two were like sisters after all." He sighed and rubbed his face with his hands, "Now it's time for me to buck up." he said as he stood tall.

A/N: This was a sort of prologue...but I'll still name it chapter 1. I hope you guys liked it, so let me know what you think in the reviews because...well I JUST KNOW YOU ALL LOVE LEAVING REVIEWS!

Ahem...well until next time my lovelies~

-Blind Fool