Chapter One: Festivities

It was nearly noon, the sun approaching the peak of its journey across the sky. Inuyasha and the gang were making their way along a small dirt road, winding its way past miles of snow-covered fields. The sun beating down on top of them, they shed their futuristic coats and garments Kagome had brought for them and tossed it aside. It was unusually warm for mid-winter but, no one minded the break in the weather. Kagome had suggested that Songo give Miroku the coats, figuring that their size and bulk would keep the leachorus monk occupied. And how right she was. Miroku was struggling to keep the garments in line, much less attempt to try anything else. Off to the west, the ocean could be seen a few miles out, glistening in the sun's powerful rays.

After several hours of walking, they approached what seemed to be a rather large bay on the coast up ahead. Kagome was now having difficult keeping her belongings together as she wheeled her bike beside her. Near the bay, smoke could be seen rising from what would appear to be a village or gathering.

"Inuyasha, can we please stop here for the night, I'm tired" Kagome whined.

"No chance, we still have a good five hours of daylight left" Inuyasha responded, "Besides, I'm not stopping just because you said your tired"

"And why not?!"

"Because you're not running the show here!" He snapped back. Kagome's eyes flashed with sadness but quickly changed into anger. Inuyasha realized he was in trouble when he heard her folding her arms as usual before saying, "SIT!" Wham!

"Why you….." Kagome just stuck up her nose and continued towards the settlement.

The gang reached the village a few hours before sunset. Though he knew he could have kept going if he wanted to, Inuyasha decided to let Kagome have her way and decided to stay the night. Miroku found them an Inn close to the bay and bought the last two rooms available. Kagome chose her room and Inuyasha quietly followed her in. She smiled to herself as she heard him enter behind her. It had been nearly 9 months since she had met Inuyasha and, even though he would never admit it, he had grown rather fond of her. Inuyasha didn't normally sleep in the same room with her but Kagome decided that any sign of his liking for her was good enough for now.

Songo had taken the other room which was clear on the other side of the grounds. As with Kagome's, her room was a fairly well sized wood hut with a small porch for the entrance. She had allowed Miroku to sleep with her on the count of he had not tried anything during the trip and had generously paid for their visit. Upon purchasing rooms at the inn, they were informed that a festival was arranged for the evening near the center of town along the beach. Kagome was ecstatic after hearing the news and forced Inuyasha and the others to attend.

The sun was just beginning to set and they had already seen most of the festival grounds. The gang sat on the beach, eating a dinner they had put together. Kagome stared off blankly into the bay as she slowly ate her food. Inuyasha, on the other hand, was hungrier than he had realized and was devouring his. Eventually, he finished his meal and looked over to Kagome.

"What's wrong Kagome?"

"Huh?"

"Is there something wrong?" He asked again.

"No nothings wrong" She said with a smile. 'Well, that was a total lie' Kagome continued to examine Inuyasha's concerned look. 'He's so cute…' 'What did I just say?!' Inuyasha continued to look at her, now more confused than worried. He stared at the play of emotions that spread across her face. 'Argh! I give up! I admit it!' She thought to herself, 'Why can't he be nicer…. He gets mad at me all the time but he's always happy to see Kikyo….' The mention of her name sent a cringe of hatred across Kagome's face. 'I wish he'd act like that towards me...' Then a sharp tingling feeling crawled up her spine, she instantly recodnized it. Kagome's eyes tore away and widened in shock,

"I can sense a jewel shard," She said, "And it's coming this way, fast!"