Alrighty! Mesa back! Yeah, well, it's me, Happy Youkai. I'd like to thank my reviewers: AnimeAngel0123, loozer-09, Shiro77, Shadow Wraith, and Neko no Baka. Your reviews were awesome and I thank you guys for taking the time to read my fic! Seriously, your reviews made me feel loved *tee hee*. It sounds strange, I know, but it's true. I love feedback 'cause I have low self-esteem so reviews help boost it. ^_^  Once again, arigatou!

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or any character from the anime/manga, but Rumiko Takashi does. I can wish I   own Inu-chan though, right? And I don't own the quote below. I'm just borrowing it.

Enjoi!!!!!!!!

"April is the cruellest month, breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory out of desire, stirring
Dull roots with spring rain.
Winter kept us warm, covering
Earth in a forgetful snow, feeding
A little life with dried tubers."
-T.S. Eliot, Waste Land, The

            It takes time to forget things. Certain things take longer to forget than others such as death of a loved one or loved creature. A close relative could take very long to forget and such is the case with Kagome. She is seventeen and still mourns over the death of her mother, though the pain had moved to a small ache years before. Now, fifteen years later, Kagome sits under a willow tree, basking in the shade it offered –the day was extremely warm- and thinking about the last time she saw her mother. She was two years old and didn't quite comprehend why her mother told her to run away by herself instead of coming with her. After dwelling on the scene for years and analyzing every word and gesture, she came to the conclusion that her mother knew it was too late for her to escape but had bought her daughter time by staying behind. In fact, that was the only conclusion Kagome came to; the only one that made any sense.

            But, as time goes on, Kagome forgot some things about the situation and so relied on gut feeling about what really happened. Kagome sighed and pushed all thoughts of that night out of her mind and closed her eyes. She inhaled deeply and could smell sweet flowers blowing on the breeze. The flowers were Cornflower and Godetia; she knew just by scent.

            Opening her eyes, she was greeted by the sight of a cerulean sky with fluffy, white clouds thrown in haphazardly which instantly brightened her dark mood. Kagome smiled to herself. If one thing could make her happy it was a sunny afternoon with a blue, slightly cloudy sky, and a warm breeze. She closed her eyes once again and fell asleep to the sound of the breeze racing through the willow leaves.

            "Kagome! Hey, Kagome," she woke to a familiar voice.

            She cracked her eyes open slightly and saw her best friend, Horaku, staring down at her. His mid-chest black hair hung in five or six thick braids, and, because he was bent over her, one just barely brushed her face. Kagome smiled sleepily at him as he offered a calloused hand to her. She gripped onto it and he pulled her up.

            "Did you have a nice nap?" he teased.

            "Yeah, it was great," Kagome responded sarcastically and trudged down the hill the willow resided on. "What are you doing out here? I thought you started you apprenticeship with the blacksmith today."

            Horaku gave her a slight frown and looked away. "Yes… But it didn't go to well."

            Kagome stopped and asked, "Why?"

            After plunking down in the grass, Horaku moved his gaze to her face and pick at a few blades of grass. "I made a total fool of myself. I didn't know any of the tools he requested or even what stoking the fire meant!" Horaku hung his head in embarrassment. "Of course he yelled at me, the idiot. I don't want to go back, but I have to. Kagome, you're lucky."

            "What do mean?" she inquired slowly and sat down beside him.

            "No one expects you to take a profession or anything. I-"

            "Yes things are expected from me!" Kagome raged and shot up. "They expect me to take a mate. At age seventeen it's bad luck not to be attached or even seeing someone. Ever since my birthday, I've had to move out of Typha's home and live with others like me in the women housing, which, I might add, is next to the men's dwellings. And all the unattached men come around all time. It's horrible. I'm not even allowed to talk to mated females, you know that? I have friends the same age as me that are having their second or third child!"

            "I know what the tradition is, Kagome. You seem to forget that I live in the bachelor's homes. Tradition dictates that anyone not mated over seventeen lives among others such as themselves. I'm in the same boat as you with male friends," Horaku said soothingly and patted the ground next to him.

            "Sorry," Kagome said and sat where he indicated. "I don't know why I am so mad."

            "You are spoiled, that's why," Horaku said matter-of-factly, though he was kidding.

            "Right. You got it… I'm spoiled."

            Horaku and Kagome sat like that for many more minutes. They watched the sun set on the western horizon, decorating the sky in impressive pinks, oranges, purples, and yellows. When the sun finally sank below the horizon line, millions of stars peek out amongst the seemingly infinite blackness of the sky, and six of the eighteen moons appeared did Kagome and Horaku haul themselves off the ground and walk to their quarters. The female's and men's housing were on the outskirts of the village and come across as tiny cabins that were home to three people each.

            They reached the women's housing first.

            "Tomorrow?" Horaku whispered, though for what reason, Kagome had no clue.

            "Yes. Good night," she said and ducked inside.

            Quickly she closed the door before any annoying mosquitoes could get inside and was greeted by the smiling face of her housemate Sango, and disdainful expression of her other housemate, Tomoyo. Kagome had known Sango since she came to live in the village and was her closets female friend. Sango had long dark brown hair that often had a pink ribbon tying it at the base of her neck. Her eyes were a bright, watery brown that were they very key to knowing her mood; if they glowed a certain way one could tell if she was mad or happy or depressed. The other female, Tomoyo, Kagome had only recently gotten to know and found she didn't like her much. Tomoyo was bossy and extremely self-righteous, as well as presumptuous. She was also very easy and was with men quite often, though she took no mate out of any she had bedded with. 

            "What is it with the two of you? I'd have thought both of you would have gotten together years ago," Sango said mischievously.

            "You know just as well as I do we are mere friends. Nothing more and nothing less, Sango," Kagome smirked. "Though I think you two would be a nice match."

            "Us? Hardly," Sango laughed and too smirked. "You know that monk that everyone has been talking about? The one that was supposed to do an exorcism of the Mayor's home, you remember right?" Kagome nodded absentmindedly as she dodged behind the changing screen at the back corner of the room. "Well, we got to talking and I think I like him."

            Kagome ambled out from behind the screen, scratching an itch on her stomach and adjusting the sleeves of her nightgown, and then jumped onto her bed, all the while smiling at Sango's news.

            "That's great. I'm happy for you," Kagome sincerely said. "Does he return the same feelings, you think?"

            Sango tipped back from her position on the edge of her bed, and brought her knees up to her chest and sighed, "I hope so."

            "Would you two be quiet? It's late," Tomoyo's voice rang from across the room. She sniffed, "I need my rest, so if you two wouldn't mind…"

            "Sorry," Kagome said at the same time Sango spoke, "Whatever."

            Both girls giggled at their timing as Tomoyo snorted, not impressed at all. Once they stopped giggling, Kagome and Sango agreed it was time for bed. Kagome scrambled off her bed and rushed to the corner nearest the door and extinguished the small flame inside the lantern. Stumbling through the darkness, Kagome managed to make it to her bed, threw back the covers, and jumped in.

            Through the large (and only) window in the small cabin, which also happens to face the east, large amounts of sun poured through and woke Kagome. She at first groaned and rolled over, pulling an old white quilt over her head -despite the warmth of the cabin- in an attempt to block the sunlight. At first it worked, but then the sun rose higher in the sky, bringing even more rays down onto the planet.

            "Don't wanna get up," she mumbled, still not entirely awake.

            After lying in bed and letting her mind adjust to reality, Kagome staggered out of bed and picked up her clothing off the floor, and stepping behind the changing screen. Only once her life did Kagome ever remember leaving the village –after her mother died. She had gone to a larger city with Jennis and Cylna for their son's fifth birthday. The women there wore brightly colored dresses, or skirts with matching blouses. Out in the country, the women wore clothing not too unlike men's wear, and that made her feel thoroughly masculine. Both men and women wore pants made of animal hide (which she was just now yanking on) and tank tops made the same way, though in the summer months the men usually wore not tops at all.

            Kagome pulled on the animal hide tank top and walked out from behind the screen, running fingers through her hair in an attempt to rid herself of bed head. Abruptly she tossed her nightgown on her bed and jogged out of the cabin toward the village to find Sango. Kagome figured, from the way her friend had talked of the monk last night, she was probably with him. Sure enough, Kagome found Sango and the monk eating rice balls under the shade of an oak, chatting pleasantly away.

            "Here you are, Sango," Kagome yelled when she was within hearing distance.

            Sango turned when Kagome spoke, a large smile crossing her face. "Hello."

            In return Kagome grinned, offering her hand to the monk: "My name is Kagome."

            "Nice to meet you, Kagome. I am called Miroku, humble servant of the people."

            "Humble my ass," Sango murmured.

            "What was that my dear Sango?" Miroku inquired.

            Suddenly the stiff crack of skin striking skin shot out through the air and Kagome cringed at the bright red hand print on Miroku's face. The monk had pure ecstasy glinting in his eyes as he sighed dreamily, clutching the injured side of his face as if it were a dear trinket.

            "Lecher!" Sango spat.

            Miroku let his euphoric expression fade into calmness as he turned to regard Sango. After a few moments a grim grin spread across his lips, showing a little of his white teeth. "Your beauty drives me to lechery, so I apologize. Could you bring yourself to forgive a poor soul like I. I am a cursed, lonely man who just wants someone to care," he sniffed as if crying.

            "Well," Sango considered his words, "I suppose I could forgive."

            "Oh thank you Sango," Miroku exclaimed, threw his arms around Sango, and it seemed, started to cry.

            In fear, Sango looked up at Kagome who shrugged. Hesitantly, Sango patted his back as Miroku continued to sob into her shoulder. Eventually, Miroku stopped crying and sat up, though is eyes were curiously not red.

            "Do worry about me that much?" Miroku asked as he took both of Sango's hands into his larger ones. Not waiting for a response, Miroku kept talking. "If you are concerned, could you do me a favor?"

            "Uh, I suppose-"

            "Would you bare me a son?" Miroku questioned seriously.

            His answer was an even harder slap on his cheek and the stiff, retreating back of Sango. And to think Sango was practically declaring her love for him last night, Kagome snorted. Quickly, she shot a sympathetic, yet warring glance at the lecherous monk, and then walked into the village. She figured it best to leave Sango alone for the time being. Kagome continued into the village until she reached the small Town Square and spotted a piece of parchment nailed to an old oak tree. Curiosity took over Kagome's brain as she scampered to read the paper. It was written in a neat scrawl which meant someone from around here did not write it; people in the village were far too uneducated to write fancy. The parchment read:

The royal lands of Hathar are in the midst of war.

For three years have the Hatharans struggled to keep the Uranin kingdom at bay and are in dire need of assistance.

If any warrior with sword skill, excellent archery eye, or feel of magic desires combat please come to the city of Neerot on the Fourth day of the month of September to be evaluated as a fighter worthy of Hathar.

From Neerot, those chosen will sail out on the Sixth of September to the Hathar capital city, Mythora.

Thank you for your time,

King Dion of Hathar

            It seemed to Kagome this plea for help was written especially for her as a way to escape the provincial life she had been living. Also she was the village's best archer so being accepted as a recruit in Neerot would be an absolute. At that moment, Kagome decided to tell Sango since she was sure her usage of a different weapon would surely turn some heads.

            "What are you reading this for?" asked a familiar voice.

            "Horaku!" Kagome started. He always had a way of sneaking up on people. "Have you read this?"

            He nodded halfheartedly and turned his body toward her, "You aren't thinking of going, are you? This is a war. People die or get severely mangled or captured by the enemy and tortured. Why would anyone want that?"
            "Always a pacifist," Kagome snorted. "This notice just sparked something, like I was meant to read it and respond to its call. You know for as long as I could walk and run that I've wanted to leave here. I know that I will miss it, but I want to get out and discover things. Everyone in these parts knows I'm not from around here, so I'd like to take this chance and maybe find out where I'm from."

            "You are serious?"

            "Most definitely."

            "Then," Horaku closed his eyes and his face took on the impression of a pained old man, "I suppose I'll have to go with you. You can't very well travel by yourself, huh?"

            "Truly? You would leave with me."

            "To protect you, if nothing else," Horaku let out a short laugh as Kagome hugged him.

            "It's stupid, I know, but it means a lot to me."

            "We should get ready soon. The fourth is less than a week away."

            Kagome shook her head in response and pulled Horaku toward the archery range to practice. They would do this for the next week.

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Midoki Palace

The Demon kingdom of Yogo

Sixth of September

"I don't understand, Father, why I have to go!" raged the youngest prince. "Sesshoumaru is the oldest and so don't you think this diplomatic crap should be handled by him if you can't do it."

The King of Yogo, Inuki, rubbed his temples in frustration. "You, son, are well aware Sesshoumaru is still on his honeymoon with Rin, and so is not able to go."

Inuyasha grunted and threw himself in a bright red armchair across from his father. His face was contorted into a mix of frown and pout, though his body was clearly showing the frown was merely a show, for his arms were crossed in a childish display of 'I don't wanna do it!'.

"Feh! Fine I'll do it, if it would get you off my back," Inuyasha mumbled and stalked out of the room.

Inuki remained in his chair, silently counting to three, and twiddling his fingers. When he reached three, Inuyasha's dog-eared head peeked around the door frame with a sheepish grin on his face.

"So… Uh… What exactly am I doing?"

"Come in here and sit down, then I'll explain," Inuki gesticulated at the red armchair Inuyasha had so grudgingly stood up from seconds before.

Inuyasha did as he was told with out incident, and this time lightly sat down, his full attention on his father.

"You will be going to the kingdom of Hathar as a stand-in for me. The king there had asked for the aid of the demons a few months ago –well, actually he pleaded," Inuki's visage then took on a proud smirk but it soon disappeared when he saw the exasperated look on his son's face. "Anyway, the war situation between Hathar and Uranin has taken a wide turn in the Uranin favor, and I'd rather they not come out on top of this war. So, you will-"

"Evaluate their situation and see if our help would benefit us in any way or at least keep the Uranins down for a while, right? I'll be leaving tomorrow, I'm guessing," Inuyasha interrupted.

Inuki could not help but let a proud smile cross his usually tight pressed lips. On more than one occasion, Inuyasha had been able to sort out the situation before even being told it, which was definitely more then his older brother could do. Even though Inuki loved both his sons equally, sometimes Inuyasha outshone his brother in military and ruling abilities; though Sesshoumaru had years of experience over his younger sibling. For the past few years, Inuki had been seriously considering giving the kingdom to Inuyasha when he passed on instead of the Sesshoumaru. But there were things that made him not finalize that thought. One being Inuyasha is half inu youkai, and not too many (both human and youkai) would take him seriously or trust in his ruling capabilities. Inuki, though, had figured a way to get people to trust his youngest son. He would use Inuyasha as a type of diplomat or stand-in (on some occasions like the one at hand) to get people of other kingdoms to trust in him. The last time, Inuki had sent Inuyasha as a diplomat to the country of Girth, the queen there had sent back a letter to him, telling him how convincing Inuyasha had been and how he'd make a fine ruler. Inuki was very proud.

"Yes, Inuyasha, that's exactly it."

"Figures," Inuyasha cracked his knuckles. "You don't want me to get involved?"

"I'd rather you not. This –I suppose you could call it mission- is just as you said: an evaluation. If combat strikes your interest while there, you'll just have to hold back and wait."

"That's fine," Inuyasha nodded in consent. "Is that all?"

"For now, I suppose," Inuki narrowed his eyes in thought. "King Dion does not know you are going in my place, so don't be too alarmed if he does not know you," he looked out the window and couldn't help but be startled at how dark it had gotten so fast. "It's late, Inuyasha. I'm going to retire."

"Of course. Good night, father," Inuyasha bowed and left the room.

He took the first left hallway he came to and slowed his walk to a gait, then slowing down completely to look out one of the windows. The sky was completely black with no stars which suggested that clouds coated the sky. Inuyasha sniffed at the breeze that flowed in through the open window. Using his strong demon sense of smell, he picked up the scent of rain and flowers from the garden below. Often as a child, on sunny summer afternoons, he would run through the gardens, chasing butterflies and other insects while his mother would laugh kindly at his childish antics and tend to the flowers. Now, he was the only one who took care of the garden. It took him a couple summers to figure out the way gardens worked, but he managed.

Inuyasha pushed himself away from the window and continued down the hallway past tapestries of demons fighting humans or dragons. At the end of the hallway was his room. As soon as he entered, he fell face down onto the bed, sleeping the second his head hit the blankets.

Well there you have it people! I finally introduced everybody's favorite hanyou: Inuyasha!!!!!!!!! *crazy fan girls can be heard screaming loudly in the background* As well as Sango and Miroku. Don't worry, though. Next chapter things will start tying together. Inuyasha and Kagome will meet either in the next chapter or the one after that. Let's make it a vote:

Okay. Here's goes it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vote for:

            Inuyasha and Kagome meet next chapter (chapter 3)

                                    Or

            Inuyasha and Kagome meet in the fourth chapter

 Oh! And if anyone has any suggestions on how to introduce Shippou and/or Naraku, I love to hear them. I'm really not sure how to incorporate them into the storyline.

Well, thanks for reading my fic and maybe I'll hear from you *hint hint review button* I'm sorry I've done my daily pestering!!!!!!!!!!!!

Buh bye!!!!!!!!!!!!

- Happy Youkai ^_^