AN: Oh I know the last chapter was evil but whatever. Oh and since I am on a role with this story and I know for a fact that it's going to be extremely long, I'm just going to write it and post it as I go. Enjoy!

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Kagome screamed and closed her eyes waiting for the final blow.

"IRON REAVER SOUL STEALER!" cried an angry voice.

Kagome felt her body fall to the ground. She opened her eyes only to see the white haired boy, Inuyasha, standing in front of her protectively.

"Inuyasha?" asked Kagome.

"Out of my way, half-breed!" cried the creature. "I need the Shikon Jewel!"

"It ain't here," said Inuyasha. "So you can just forget about!"

"Fool! Get out of my way!" cried the creature.

Inuyasha smirked and stood his ground as the demon charged towards him.

Panicking, Kagome rose to her feet. "Look out!" she cried as she pushed him out of the way.

She landed on top of him, safely, as the demon's body flew past them. Inuyasha shrugged her off roughly.

"What the hell do you thin you're doing, you stupid girl?" he demanded.

"Excuse me?" blinked Kagome. "Last I checked I was trying to save your life!" she fumed angrily.

"Just let me handle this and stay out of my way!" cried Inuyasha. He leapt into the air and cried out angrily, "IRON REAVER SOUL STEALER!"

Kagome watched in amazement as Inuyasha slashed at the giant creatures with his nails…wait they looked more like…claws?

"Inuyasha!" cried a new voice. Kagome turned to see Miroku, running towards them.

"Just in time!" smirked Inuyasha. "Feel like cleaning this mess up?"

"With pleasure," said Miroku. "Grab the girl!"

Inuyasha leapt down in front of Kagome and grabbed her roughly around the waist. "What are you doing?" she cried angrily.

"Just shut up and hold on tight," he said. With that, he jumped high into the air with a mighty leap. Kagome felt like she was flying as they sailed high over the alley. When they landed safely behind Miroku the sudden sensation was gone and she felt her self become slightly dizzy.

"Go for it!" said Inuyasha.

Quickly Miroku held up his right hand and unwound a pair of green prayer beads that Kagome had failed to notice before. He let out a mighty cry, "WINDTUNNEL!"

Kagome unconsciously held tightly onto Inuyasha's waist as the wind picked up around her and began to suck the creature attacking them closer. The creature cried out and screamed in anger. It came closer and closer to the force coming from Miroku's hand, but was soon gone as if it was sucked into oblivion. Miroku recovered his hand with the prayer beads and the wind stopped.

Kagome slowly backed away from Inuyasha, staring at him and Miroku curiously. Inuyasha looked at her sharply.

"You want to mind explaining to us why that centipede demon was after you?"

Kagome grew angry. Was he saying that this was somehow her fault? "How should I know? You were the one who came out acting like a super hero or something!"

"Well I wouldn't have had to save you if you didn't decide to walk down some dark alley by yourself!"

"This wasn't my fault!" retorted Kagome. "I was just trying to get home, and what in the world is a centipede demon?"

"Look," glared Inuyasha, "demons just go randomly picking girls asking them for the Shikon Jewel! Now are you going to tell me what you're hiding or do I need to force it out of you?" He shoved his claws up in her face.

"Just who do you think you are? Get those away from me!" cried Kagome as she slapped his hands away. She stormed angrily towards the direction of the shrine, but was stopped when Inuyasha jumped in front of her, blocking her path.

"Inuyasha please!" cried Miroku, "Can't you see she doesn't know anything?" The young man walked up to Kagome. "Forgive my half-demon friend; his bark is worse than his bite.'

"Hey!" protested Inuyasha.

"A half-demon?" asked Kagome.

"Kagome, I know we have only just met, but I must ask you to keep this encounter a secret," said Miroku solemnly.

"I don't understand…what is a half-demon, how did your hand do that, and what is the Shikon Jewel?" demanded Kagome.

"Well this is all very complicated…" muttered Miroku.

"Look," butted in Inuyasha. He stepped in front of Kagome, "Do you know anything about the Shikon Jewel or not?"

"No! I told you already I don't even know what it is!" retorted Kagome angrily.

Inuyasha sniffed her carefully.

"Are you…sniffing me?" asked Kagome.

"What do you have a problem with that? You know you should be nicer considering I saved your life and all!" declared Inuyasha.

Kagome turned red with anger, "You are so ignorant! I can't believe I actually thought different!"

She walked away leaving a dumbfounded Inuyasha and Miroku staring after her. They watched as she left the alley and turned towards home.

"What the hell did she mean by that?" asked Inuyasha as he crossed his arms. "That's the last time I ever save her!"

Miroku laughed, "Inuyasha, I do believe you have met your match. She didn't even seem to care that you are a half-demon. She stood right up to you!" He laughed even harder.

"Whatever, at least we know she's not lying to us about the jewel. I really don't think she knows anything about it."

"Inuyasha, do you think she will tell our secret?"

Inuyasha stared after her, "I think we can trust her…but if we're going to we also need to get closer to her. We need to understand why that demon was after her."

Miroku was thoughtful, "I did sense some spiritual power radiating from her body, but it was not very strong. Do you think she is perhaps a priestess?"

Inuyasha sniffed, "Demons have no interests in weak priestesses. There has to be more."

"Well," said Miroku, "perhaps we should have Sango speak with her to find out more. Women often confide in each other."

"Alright," agreed Inuyasha, "let's get going. We'll find out more later."

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Kagome lay in bed that night wide awake. She had not told anyone what happened. The story was so ridiculous it sounded crazy. The only one who would probably believe her anyways would be her grandfather, but as to whether or not he would take it seriously was unknown.

"Stupid Inuyasha, I can't believe how rude he was to me!" she said out loud. "I should have listened to Ayame! She was right. He is rude, crude, and definitely not interested in girls!"

She rolled over on her stomach and sighed. I can't believe I was so struck with him at first…I'm such an idiot. Then again…he did save my life and I didn't even thank him for it. I was just as rude as he was! But he was just so…so…so, ugh! She threw her pillow over her head. She was going to thank him tomorrow and that was that!

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Inuyasha walked out of the men's locker room with his duffel bag in hand. Practice had been long and he was ready to go home for the night. He began walking towards home, when a very female voice called out to him,

"Inuyasha!" said the girl.

He turned to see the girl, Kagome, running towards him. He stopped and stared at her. "What do you want?" he asked.

"I just came to apologize to you," she replied quietly. "I was very rude to you yesterday and I shouldn't have been. After all, you saved my life."

Inuyasha looked at her stunned. She was apologizing to him? She was thanking him for saving her? Did she even remember the part about him not being entirely human? He blinked and snapped out of his thoughts.

"Feh, whatever…it's not like I was about to let some poor helpless girl get swallowed up by a centipede demon!"

"Kagome," she said quietly. "My name is Kagome, and I'm not some poor helpless girl."

"You could have fooled me yesterday," said Inuyasha as he began to walk away.

"Wait!" she said as she grabbed his arm.

Inuyasha looked at her hand, shocked by her actions. Why wasn't she afraid of him? She hadn't even brought up about him being a half-demon. "What is it?" he asked.

"I just…I want you to know that I didn't say anything to anybody about last night, and I'm not going to," she smiled at him. "Well, goodbye Inuyasha! See you tomorrow!" And with that, she ran off in the other direction, her dark brown hair catching up in the wind.

He watched her go. What a strange girl.

"Well," said Miroku, as he walked up behind his friend, "we know we can trust her I think."

"Feh, we'll see. Did Sango find out anything?"

Miroku nodded, "She found out the girl's schedule, asked around whom she hung out with and what she does in her spare time."

"And?" asked Inuyasha.

"Apparently she is the granddaughter of the keeper of the Hirgurashi shrine, which might explain why she emanates some spiritual power."

"What about her classes or activities? Anything seem unusual?"

Miroku smiled slightly, "Apparently, she signed up for archery."

Inuyasha looked at him sharply. He smirked, "How convenient…I guess we will be paying Lady Kaede a visit then."

Miroku laughed as the two young men began to walk home.

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Kagome was so frustrated. Maybe archery was not going to be her forte. She struggled just too even hit the target.

"Kagome, child you will not get any better by becoming frustrated," said her instructor, Lady Kaede.

"I'm sorry but I'm just not very good, thank you for taking some time to go over this with me after school," muttered Kagome as she pulled another arrow out of her quiver.

"Practice will make perfect and I am glad to see such dedication from a student!" replied the old woman.

Kagome smiled slightly. Lady Kaede was a good instructor, she was friendly and fair. She was an old woman, dressed in traditional attire; a white and red kimono. She had black patch covering one eye, but her disability did not seem to bother her in the least when it came to the bow. Even though Kagome was not very good, archery was quickly becoming her favorite class.

"Now Kagome, this time I wanted you to focus very carefully on your target. Don't worry about the arrow and if it will make it there, just focus on what you're feeling. Send that emotion into your shot and you will hit every time. Now, draw back slowly…focus…and release!"

Kagome did and sure enough she hit the bull's eye! She beamed radiantly at Kaede. "That was wonderful!" she exclaimed.

"Feh, that shot wouldn't have harmed a flea."

That voice, thought Kagome. She spun around to see Inuyasha and Miroku watching her intently. She glared at him. What was he doing there? And how dare he insult her shot, it was only her second time ever trying the sport!

"Inuyasha and Miroku, how good of you to drop by and see an old woman!" said Kaede as she greeted them kindly.

"Lady Kaede," said Miroku as he bowed, "as always it is our pleasure. We thought to stop and see you before practice. Are you coming to the game tomorrow?"

"You know that Shippou and I wouldn't miss it for the world. I love to watch my boys play! Are you ready Inuyasha?"

He nodded, and then looked at Kagome, "Is this your star pupil this semester?"

"Ah, Miss Kagome is simply trying to get in some extra practice."

"Looks like she needs it," said Inuyasha.

"Look, I know I'm not very good, but you don't have to be so mean about it!" declared Kagome.

"Prove me wrong then, idiot!" said Inuyasha.

Kagome glared at him. But, instead of saying anything in return, she took an arrow from her quiver and took aim, carefully focusing on her target. Kaede's words rang through her head. Just focus on what you're feeling. Send that emotion into your shot and you will hit every time.

"Kagome," she said out loud, "my name is Kagome."

She let the arrow loose and to her amazement it flew to her target in a ray of light. She watched it hit the bull's eye dead on, and explode into a burst of white light, before I slowly fizzled out and died. Kagome blinked in amazement, "What did I just do?" she asked herself quietly.

"That was a sacred arrow," muttered Miroku. "Just like…"

"Kikyo," finished Inuyasha.

Kagome turned to look at them. They were watching her intently. "Lady Kaede, what just happened?"

"Oh my," muttered Kaede. "What have we gotten ourselves into? I did not even sense any spiritual power coming from the girl at first, but now it is radiating from her body. Do you disagree, Miroku?"

"No, I do not. The other night, Inuyasha and I saved this girl from a centipede demon who was seeking the Shikon Jewel from her. Her power was faint then, but it is strong now. It must have been awakened when she shot that sacred arrow!"

"What spiritual power? I don't understand!" said Kagome.

"Kagome, child, there is nothing to be frightened of, come let's us sit down," said Kaede. She led the group to her office and they each took a seat.

"Kagome," began Kaede, "Spiritual power is a power that only those strong in spirit and strength can hold. It is inside of you, and I believe it radiates so strongly from you because you are pure of heart. When you shot the arrow, you put your emotion and strength into the shot. The arrow absorbs this energy and becomes a sacred arrow. Only those with very strong spiritual power can achieve such a shot, and it is a wonder you have never known you possessed such qualities before!"

"So you are saying that I have special powers?" asked Kagome. She was feeling a little overwhelmed.

"Yes," said Miroku. "I sensed it a little bit the other night after you were attacked, but your power was so faint I did not think much of it. But now, I think I know why that centipede demon may have been after you!" He looked at Lady Kaede intently. "She must have the power to sense the Shikon Jewel! There is no other explanation. Her aura is pure and bright. The only other person to have possessed such an aura was Kikyo. I may be mistaken, Lady Kaede, but I believe Kagome has been chosen as the next guardian of the Shikon Jewel!"

"What is the Shikon Jewel?" asked Kagome.

"The Jewel of Four Souls," said Lady Kaede quietly. "The Shikon Jewel is a powerful source made up of four elements: wisdom, courage, friendship, and love. Combined these four elements are the purest and most powerful things in life. But, if the jewel were to fall into the wrong hands, it could be tainted and its power would be corrupted. The results would be catastrophic."

"I see," said Kagome. "But what does this all have to do with me?"

"Two years ago," continued Kaede, "my niece, Kikyo, was the chosen guardian of the jewel. She was a priestess, and radiated with the spiritual power that you possess right now. It was her duty to protect the jewel, and keep it pure. However, tragedy struck and Kikyo was betrayed, and we all thought the jewel to be lost forever, especially after her death…"

Kagome's heart softened, "I am so sorry Lady Kaede…"

Kaede held up her hand, "Kikyo was strong and her power was great. That is why she hid the jewel before it could fall into the wrong hands. She knew another guardian would assume responsibility of the jewel, just as she had, and that they would find the jewel, exactly where she hid it."

"How would they find it?" asked Kagome.

"Kikyo had the ability to sense the jewel and where it was. A priestess with enough spiritual power would be able to do the same. Miroku senses this same spiritual power coming from you, as do I."

"Lady Kaede," said Miroku, "could it be possible that when Kikyo died, she chose Kagome to guard the jewel? They look extremely alike in terms of physical appearance."

"I look like her?" asked Kagome.

"Almost exactly, alike," said Kaede. "It is no wonder Inuyasha and Miroku took up such an interest in you so quickly. I should have noticed it before, but my eyes aren't exactly what they used to be," she winked.

"I don't understand why…" said Kagome thoughtfully, "there is no one in my family even distantly that have had the Kikyo."

"There is a connection between you and Kikyo," said Kaede. "We may not know it now, but all will reveal itself in time."

This is so much to handle in one sitting, thought Kagome. I am somehow connected to a girl that died two years ago, and I have some sort of special power? This can't be happening. I did not even know things such as the Shikon Jewel and demons existed in this world. Gramps always told me stories of demons and spells, and tales of ancient heroes, but I never believed any of it to actually be true, but here I am finding out that it is.

She looked over at Inuyasha whom she had just realized had not opened his mouth during the entire conversation. He was silent and reflective, his arms crossed over his chest. There as an emotion in his eyes that Kagome struggled to figure out. What was wrong with him? He looks so upset…

"What are you staring at?" asked Inuyasha.

Kagome suddenly snapped from her thoughts. She blushed slightly, cursing herself for being caught up in the moment. He was still as rude as ever.

"Nothing," she replied softly.

Inuyasha raised her eyebrow at her, and then turned to Miroku, "Come on before we're late for practice. We have a game tomorrow."

"Oh, practice! I almost forgot!" said Kagome. "Thank you Lady Kaede! I have to go!"

Before they could all answer Kagome was gone.

Inuyasha stood and looked at Kagome's figure as she ran away. "Some guardian she is going to make."

"Inuyasha," said Kaede.

"Yeah," he replied.

"You are going to have to protect that girl."

"What! Protect her?"

"She is the only one who can find the Shikon Jewel," said Miroku. "We must have her help us before it is too late."

"She doesn't even know what we're talking about," protested Inuyasha. "How could she possibly ever understand what we will have to do? What we go through?"

"We must help her Inuyasha," said Kaede. "It is the only way. You especially must work with Kagome to find the Shikon Jewel. She is different, Inuyasha. This girl is special. She might be the missing piece to the puzzle that we have been searching for."

Inuyasha looked over to the direction the girl had taken as an array of memories swept through him. It had been a long time ago, but not so long ago. Protect the girl to find the Shikon Jewel. He would do what was necessary to right what had gone horribly wrong those years ago.

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Hey everyone I hope you all liked this chapter. Thanks for all the emails, they have been great! I am really surprised to see how many of you have taken a liking to this stry so quickly in the last couple of days. I just posted it! Anyway keep reading and reviewing the responses have been awesome!