The border wars continue after some deliberation between the two presidents, but no agreements have been made—"

Kuri slapped a hand on the radio alarm clock in the shape of a yellow duck. "Mom! Why didn't you wake me! I'm late for school!"

Kuri ran down the hallway and skidded into the bathroom, frantically trying to fix my hair and brush my teeth at the same time. "Kuso! I'm gonna be so late!"

"I set your clock back an hour. You're fine, Kuri," said Mama lazily.

"Oh sheesh," Kuri glared at her. "You're so me-e-an, Mama."

"Kuri, could you do me a favor and go out in the back woods and get us some firewood?" Mama asked, stepping into Kuri's room. She was a gorgeous slender woman with long black hair in a bun and then cascading down her back. She smiled. "The weatherman says it's going to be very cold tonight."

"Hai!" Kuri replied. "It's going to be a great winter break, Mama! Everyone says so!"

Kuri tapped her shoes on the threshold and ran to the old shed. Kuri grabbed about twenty red ribbons to mark her path in the forest. It was very easy to get lost in Tama Forest. Few ventured in and returned intact, but Mama said that as owners and protectors of the forest, they had nothing to worry about.

Kuri walked into the forest and marked the first tree she passed with a red cloth. She kept walking, marking the trees. It had been awhile since she had begun walking, and she had gathered plenty of wood. Kuri was holding a month's worth of wood. It was time for her to get back into Azumano, and fast, as dark was approaching.

Kuri turned and started back. But…the marks were gone! Her red ribbon markers had vanished! Kuri kept walking as taught by Mama, but she couldn't find an opening in the trees. It was cold and she felt that she might remain lost.

Wait! The Tree! Kuri could see it from here! It was at the center of the forest. Mama said that if she was ever lost, to go there and say the incantation with her key pendant.

Kuri ran as fast as she could, and she saw it.

There was a sword there. It looked like it was a stone sword. Kuri reached out and touched it. It glowed and changed. There was a pulse from the tree. The sword became made of crystal, a bright, shining weapon.

Kuri reached out and touched it again. A man appeared out of the mist. His hair in a brown ponytail, and she wore dark jeans and no shirt. He smiled sadly at me. "Do not remove it. Not unless you are ready to fight. Priestess…removing that sword is a declaration of war."

"Priestess?" Kuri asked. "I'm not—ah, who are you?"

Kuri looked at him and felt such pain. Kuri touched his chest.

There was that pulse again! It hit them both this time. Kuri fell back onto the ground. Something bright had appeared into her hands. It was warm and shone with such light, the little crystal.

"If you remove the sword, I have to kill you."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Kuri said softly. "My name is Kurisuta Hikawa. You may call me Kuri. And…I have to remove that sword."

Kuri put the crystal on her necklace and then reached up and took the hilt in her hands. Kuri felt heat come off the blade, and remembered the strange man's words. The wind pulled at her hair, and she shut her eyes, pulling with all her might. The sword came out and Kuri fell to the ground.

He smirked, grabbing her by the collar. "Tell me…where is the Moon Stone?"

Kuri only smiled. "It's really too bad for you. You caught me on a really bad day."

Kuri spun her hand. "I'll finish you in one blow."

He laughed. "In your dreams!"

"THAT'S IT!" Kuri yelled, grabbing the sword. "HIKO!"

He responded in kind, deflecting Kuri's attack and attacking and pinning her down. "Where is the Moon Stone? And where is the Priestess!"

"Probably killed," Kuri responded. "The war killed everyone. Except a select few. Mama rescued me from the carnage. Apparently I was only a baby. And as for the jewel…I don't know anything about that."

Kuri smirked and stabbed him, digging in. He cried out and rolled off of her in pain. Kuri felt a flinch and shiver run through her. "J-Jacob…"

"H-How do you know my name?" He questioned in anger. "Just who the hell are you?"

Kuri clutched her key. "Mama…"

There was a bright flash, and Kuri reappeared at home.

"Kuri!" Mama ran out and embraced me. "A-Are you okay? Your clothes are torn! Is that blood?"

Kuri looked up with tears in my eyes. "Mama…I was so scared! I was attacked!"
"You were attacked?" Mama pulled away. "Ah…those woods are quite strange…we shall buy our firewood from now on. And you...you fought him off! I am proud. But the war…it has only just begun, Hime-sama…"

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"He asked you about the shikon, didn't he," Mama said, taking something from her pocket. "You are fourteen today, Hime-sama. Today, at dawn, you become a filia lunae. A daughter of the moon and high priestess."

Mama took out a sheathe and put the sword Kuri was holding inside. "There are others like you. You must find them, and face the coming darkness."

"Mama, I am ready."