Gates of Jade

By Angel

(Disclaimer: I do not own inuyasha and part of this story does not belong to me some ideas came from a book I once read but most is mine.)

Chapter 1 Runaway horse

I was alone in the forest near fire bade, my village, when the earth trembled beneath my feet. As I dropped to the green hard forest floor the basket I had been so careful with toppled down beside me, scattering the herbs I had so carefully picked. Flattening myself against the ground, I crept beneath a fringe of cedar trees and studied the meadow beyond. Tulips, Roses, and sunflowers, gently bent to the light breeze. Bees glided from clover to clover as the thundering hoof beats came ever closer.

I recalled my father's reminder. "Be careful, Kagome," he'd warned when I'd set out that noon. "Times being what they are, you can't trust strangers or solders." I had heard many stories about King Tamans soldiers and how they fed off villages, leaving the villages more barren of food, than when the soldiers had arrived.

My father and I had enough trouble putting food on our table. The herbs I had gathered earlier where meant to help quench the starve in our hungry bellies. I wouldn't give them up with out a fight even if it meant the death of me. Pressed to the soggy, muddy ground, I kept watch waiting to see who would come by.

In the meadow, Packs of barking hounds ran by, noses to the ground. My skin prickling ever so slightly. What if they caught my scent? But luckily, I was downwind, and they were intent on tracking a scent the length of the meadow.

I started to lift my aching body of the ground only to throw it harshly back when a legion of horses galloped past, the riders looking elegant in their gold, silver, velvet plumed hats. Four ponies pulled a gold cart in which a silver haired man sat tall his gaze fixed on the chase. A few riders were dressed in black from head to toe while other wore only hats or scarves with black.

The passing of the king had been mourned all over the country, his life coming to tragic end only months ago. He had been a good ruler but now his eldest son had taken over. "For the glory of Japan, for the glory of the Sun King!" one of the soldiers yelled.

I drew a quick breath. That meant that had been the new kings' hunting party and that was the king himself. As quickly as the hunting party had appeared they disappeared, the earth rumbling softly at their departure.

The Sun King himself had ridden by me. I trembled, if I lived in the royal house hold I would be a princess or a duchess, I knew in my teeth life would be heaven. But my life was anything but royal. Everyday was a struggle to make do.

Seven Years ago when I was ten my mother had died from pneumonia, if we had been royal then maybe Mama might have lived. The winter of 1709 was hard for all of us; everything froze from the crops to the livestock. Rumors spread that even the castle was beginning to have breakdowns. As our luck would have it after the bitter and deadly cold came a famine, killing some that had survived winter.

At least I had some of my mother's clothes. But her once Beautiful embroidered blouse was now dirt gray, Her long once beautiful blue skirt had torn and been repatched every year to fit my tiny yet growing frame. I was tiered wearing the same stuff for months on end. My father didn't notice. He was to kind hearted; he would treat anyone even if they couldn't pay.

My father was a wonderful man, Sweet and kindhearted. I sat there thinking about how selfish I had been minutes earlier. It was still nice to day dream though. I stood up brushing my self off.

If I lived at court I would have a dress for each day of the year, each with a rich fabric. Everyday I would ride in a glided coach, every evening I would charm my many suitors and then dance the night away in his arms. I sat the basket down beside, then curtsied and bowed my head to an imaginary courtier. As I bowed my head scarf fell off my raven hair tumbling down beside me.

Short blasts of air and a loud snort let me know I was not alone. I spun around my hair flying widely with out the scarf; I braced myself for an attack. But instead a few short feet away was an ebony horse prancing in an arc. His nostrils flared with each breath his eyes where opened as wide as shutters. Sweat lathered his muscular neck, chest, and flanks.

His bridle was trimmed in royal blue and gold, and leather rungs hung loose. On his back sat a cherry wood carved saddle, much too rich design for a peasant's horse. "Quite sweet horse it's alright." I said. I used the same voice when I helped my father work on scared children with broken limbs. "Now boy calm down." I continued gently but calmly.

If I showed fear he would know it and run. He pawed at the ground, tossing his head up as far as the breast strap would allow him too. I had to catch him and return him to his rightful owner, but if I stepped towards him I feared he would bolt and run. So instead I deliberately turned my back on him. Pretending to enjoy the calming scene of the meadow below.

I placed my hands behind my back and waited, soon I felt a gentle nudge letting me know he had fallen for it. Slowly I turned the wildness in the horse's eyes gone. I gently grasped his reins and rubbed his damp neck, "Now, what shall I do with you?" The vision of a reward playing through my head. A scream for help brought me back into the real world.

A women's faint, pained voice called from the shadows of the forest. "Help please!" she called "help! Please, help!"

(AN/ Authors Notes)

Hey it's me again,

Ok so I'll be updating soon. Tell me what you think it will get better. Also who is this woman and how will she help kagome's life? Stay tuned!

Angel