InuYasha is copyrighted to Rumiko Takahashi. (a.k.a "The Princess of manga")

"The Princess Recalls Her One Adventure" - poem by Edna St Vincent Millay.

Disclaimer for entire story!

I sat there on a rock crying and trembling violently from the cold pre-dawn air. My cloak was splashed with mud and water, so it had lost most of its effectiveness in keeping in my body heat, my fault for falling I suppose.

I'm a runaway, a coward too, but if it had happened to you, you probably would have done the same. Maybe not...

My mother and the King had informed me of my upcoming marriage only a few hours previous. I was to be sold off to the creepiest, slimiest and most detestable creature on the earth.

One look from this man would have you wishing for a bath in mucus and worms instead, it was so unbearably filthy.

I was always afraid of him, from the very first time I had seen him as a little girl. Back then he was a teenager, and he only glanced down on me like a petty insect, now he stared at me with lust.

Disgusting.

I would rather give my maidenhood to any other creature but him, no matter how foul. Well maybe I would kill myself before it got to that stage...

But as a second daughter, and middle child, I was the least important of the three royal children. My elder sister, had already been married off two years ago, with her consent I might add. She now lives in some far off castle on the other side of the continent.

My younger brother is heir to the throne. As soon as they discovered he had an extra winkie at birth, Kikyo was disregarded completely, if she was bitter, I never noticed, but she's a Queen now so I guess she's not plotting revenge. Secretly though I think she kind of prefers her new land and people to ours. Her frequent letters have convinced me that she delights in her people and that she loves her King more than anything else.

My last letter to her, I told her that I wish for her, her husband and her unborn child's happiness. Kikyo rarely smiles, but for one that knows her well, you could tell if she was happy by the presence of a certain twinkle in her dark brown eyes.

She is one of only two people I have told of my decision besides my Nurse, knowing both, I shall say that they support me fully in this. The thoughts of my dear sister and even dearer Nurse are enough to drive away the cold for even a few moments.

I can see the castle peeking through the crevice of the heavily forested hills. If only I could make a foul hand gesture at the senile old fool sitting on the throne that did this to me and be certain he could see me...

To think I actually loved him until the horrid moment, when he smiled at me like he had the best news in the world:

Flashback-

"Kagome?"

"Yes Grandfather?"

"You are to be married my dear!"

"Oh, to whom may I enquire?"

"King Naraku of Cocytus"

"WHAT!" I yelled indignantly.

He sent me a gentle smile.

"Naraku, Kagome! You're going to be his Queen!"

I fainted.

My Grandfather turned to my mother and said,

"Well look at that! She's so happy about this! Do you think maybe we should move the wedding date up?"

End flashback-

Apparently my mother shook her head and said that perhaps I was unwell and the suddenness of my engagement just made me collapse. Unfortunately for me, most of the court believed it. Yuka, a Lady of the court and also my "friend" told me of that.

The icky feeling I got from thinking of Naraku did nothing but help me feel the bitter chill more. It had started to rain. Thankfully, only a slight drizzle.

With a shudder I stood up and looked about for my cob, I had snuck him from the stable yard. The sun had just peeked over the bumpy horizon and I could see my cob limping a distance away. He was no use to me anymore. I had taken my small bag of belongings from my cob after my fall. Why was I too stupid to pack a blanket? In my haste, I only brought what was precious, not practical.

Stupid cross-stitch! That was neither! I threw it to the dirt and stamped on it several times venting my frustration.

It was time to be on my way again. I started out on the wide dust road that ran along the lake now glittering in the morning sun, unsure of my destination or destiny for that matter. But one isn't supposed to know their destiny are they? Great! I had something to philosiphise. Even said in my head I could not figure out if I was being sarcastic or not. Was philosiphise even a word?

Pathetic.

The sun had crested a small bit more over the horizon.

After the first few peasants had passed me in their ragged and dreary clothes on their way to the castle, I began to wish I had stolen a maid's gown. They were looking at me funny. I was bound to be noticed in this dress I suppose. No-one but the elite upper-class would have a dress like this. To believe I had actually thought it was plain enough to fit in with the lace! Stupid Kagome!

A whinny and a "whoo boy!" in a cold masculine voice brought me back to my senses. I looked up and straight into his eyes, in direct defiance of laws form every class. His penetrating glare made my blood run cold as I just stood there and gaped.

Cob horse of a type, kinda. Pony/Horse mix.

A/N Thanks for reading this far! And I shall update soon! Please review if you can!

- Gyousei

Revised 1/1/05, oh the errors…..