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Kagome sprinted through the trees; the branches of bushes scraped her bare legs. Alas she paid no heed to the discomfort and continued to dash. She came to a sudden standstill. Her fascinating blue eyes scanned the area for something unknown to the teen. Her eyes widened at the realization of where she now found herself. She was in her beloved clearing.

She had not recognized it; the brilliant green grass was now shriveled and musty grey in color. The sky shone with no sun as an alternative dark clouds lay in its place making the surroundings shady. In the place of the glorious flowers there were desiccated stems that never bloomed. The melancholy filled Kagome's heart. What had happened to this paradise, it was now a revolting Hell.

She fell to her knees, shaken by the loathsome sight. A few tears were escaping her tightly closed eyes. She looked up for a reason she didn't know and her eyes met molten gold. She blinked once. The golden gaze still occupied her vision. Her nose was nearly touching the strangers. She pulled back and examined his flawless face. Realization hit her and she recalled the boy. She had seen him only once before and he had saved her life.

Kagome opened her mouth momentarily letting a small 'hello' escape her lips.

The boy glared at her grimly. His lips slightly parted, Kagome listened eagerly for the words he was about to express.

The dream dissipated in a blur. Kagome felt the disappointment in knowing the dream had come to an end. Her eyes blinked open; the sudden light caused her to wince. She let her eyes adjust fleetingly then sat up in her bed. Her attention was turned to the tiny window, the lights rays from outside seeped through it. Kagome realized she had undoubtedly overslept.

Her eyebrows furrowed as she pondered on why her father had not woken her as he typically did. The thought of him galloping away on the horse came into notice, had her parent not come back as of yet? She simply put the notion aside, her legs swung down over the side of her wooden bed frame. The moment her foot contacted the bitter timber floor it ached.

Kagome winced, she had utterly forgotten about the events from yesterday. She put a fair amount of support on her foot that was unscathed and limped to her dresser. She chose a decent dress that was a pale shade of rose. It went down to her ankles as all of her dresses did and fit appropriately. She leisurely made her way from the bedroom and into the main room. She spotted her mother sitting in the rocking chair patching a pair of trousers.

The older woman looked up from her work. "Look who rose from the dead." She uttered with a hint of sarcasm and a miniscule smile.

Kagome returned the smile. "Where's father?" She asked with concern.

She watched her mother fuss with the needle and thread, her mother did not give a solid answer but instead replied with, "He's gone hunting."

Kagome stared at the wooden planks on the floor. She had a steely suspicion her mother was not being entirely honest. But instead of fretting about the matter she simply said, "Oh." She dwelled in the house until after breakfast which was a concoction of freshly made bread and pork.

Subsequently Kagome went outside. Her brother was messing about on the rope swing by the stables. Kagome volunteered no mind to her juvenile brother and explored the property. As she ambled along she thought about the boy. Very unusually did she dream and this dream seemed to pose somewhat important to her. She came to a decision that after lunch she would creep back into the forest and go pursue the boy.

In the meantime she limped aimlessly around the surrounding estate. When her mother finally did request her sibling and herself in for lunch Kagome was fervent on leaving. She speedily finished her portion of the stew that had been freshly brewed. As she did her mother kept an eye on her.

"Kagome." Her mother called prohibiting her to get outdoors.

The thirteen year old turned to face her parent. "Yes?" She asked politely.

For a moment there was a suspicious glance given to her, Kagome tensed thinking she had been found out. And yet her mother's face softened.

"If you see your Father tell him to come home at once, and don't be too long." She instructed.

Kagome grinned and nodded. Her mother gave her approval she could leave and Kagome did just that. Although the teen knew that no one was around she was cautious before climbing the fence. She watched keenly for any persons who might turn her in. When she reckoned the coast was clear she escalated over the barrier. Her foot was still in a slight amount of pain but she tried to ignore the constant throbbing sensation.

Making her way back to the clearing was always a simple task. Kagome had memorized every tree, bush and rock on the invisible pathway. Before she comprehended it she was at the creak, it had returned to normal stature. The water was clear again but there was no sign of any of the tiny fish. She sighed sadly to herself. She reckoned the fish might have gotten washed away.

She slipped her modest shoes off and carried them with her as she crossed. On the other side of the creek she was stricken with gloom. The toad from yesterday was lying on its back just on the shore. Kagome lifted her feet more quickly and emerged from the water. She kneeled next to the lifeless corpse. She reached her hand towards it hesitantly and flipped the creature over. Its eyes were clouded over, Kagome observed it sorrowfully. The toad was indeed dead.

She remained there for several moments until deciding that she was going to bury it. She touched the lifeless body taking note in the jutted skin. She delicately picked it up and brought it next to one of the trees. She began to dig a fairly small hole in between two roots. Once the hole was a reasonable depth she sympathetically laid the critter inside. She glimpsed at it one last time before covering it with the lose earth.

After the ordeal with the toad Kagome continued to move. In advanced time she arrived at the clearing. It was back to the way she remembered it, not the unpleasant and dark place of the dream but the wonderful mystical one. She walked across to the tree; the grass went between her toes tickling her. She giggled. By the tree there was a hole in the earth where the youkai had emerged from, it soiled the beautiful scene.

Kagome began to work away at re-filling the hole; she didn't want anything to sully her paradise. After a good ten minutes it was more or less packed with earth. She knew the grass would take time to grow back but also took note that she couldn't help it.

She turned to gaze at the trees. She had a hindrance; the boy was nowhere to be seen. She deliberated plans of how to draw him out. As she did the wind picked up, it blew her hair into her face and her dress danced around her. She laughed gleefully trying to keep her hair under control as it blew riotously into her face. It died down in only moments; Kagome still bore the delighted expression on her face. But it turned into a gasp as she realized there was movement in the shrubs before her.

She caught a glimpse of silver sparkle in the sunlight. Her face turned softer and she called out, "Hello? If your there you can come out, I won't hurt you." The tone in her voice was reassuring and delicate.

Her eyes widened and she bore a smile as she saw the bushes quivering, a boy descended from them. He was almost a foot taller than her, his silver hair swayed in the breeze. It was longer then Kagome's and his bangs hung messily just above his golden eyes. He didn't get any nearer though; he stayed at the edge of the tree line. He had a shy countenance on his face; he would glance back at the forest as though he were unsure about the situation.

Kagome took a step forward, he took a step back. She took realization of his hesitant actions and stood in place. She smiled brightly, but he didn't return it. Then Kagome squinted at him not believing her eyes. At the top of his head sprouted two triangular dog ears. Kagome hadn't noticed them before because he had them back flat against his skull, they nearly camouflaged with his silver hair. She didn't know what to do, he seemed harmless and the fact that he had saved her yesterday dwindled in her thoughts. But she was sure now; sure as she had ever been that the boy was a youkai. She wondered if there were nice youkai, maybe this boy was one of them?

She gulped. "Hello…" She uttered nervously.

The boy's eyes flicked up to meet hers but he didn't say anything. He looked as though he wanted too but wasn't going to. Kagome anticipated that he was friendly so she tried to make conversation.

"What's your name? Mine's Kagome." She asked with a pleasant smile.

He looked at her and frowned, and then he cocked his head to the right. She thought it was one of the cutest actions she had seen before. He watched her intently, examining the strange girl. When he had enough confidence built he straightened himself out and looked at the ground beneath him.

"I…Inuyasha…" He mumbled just loud enough for Kagome to perceive.

She was immediately filled with bliss that the boy had answered her. She said his name once under her breath, it rolled off the end of her tongue. He looked at her fascinatingly as though he had heard her say it. She turned her attention back to him, he stood dumbfounded.

She looked back into his face and smiled brilliantly gaining a confused gaze. "Will you meet me here again, tomorrow?" She requested.

The boy nodded slowly, taking in her words. Kagome grinned with satisfaction.

"I have to go now; I'll see you tomorrow though." She began to walk back the way she came, before she disappeared into the trees she looked back but the boy was gone.

She didn't think too much about it and continued back home, marveling at what had just happened.

When Kagome attained home her mother was furious, Kagome had completely forgotten that today she had schooling. Her mother gave her a good scolding and reminded her that she would be fifteen in less than a year. She also recapped on Kagome's duties and chores. Kagome understood everything having heard it so many times previous but could only wish that she didn't have too many future burdens on her shoulders.

Kagome's lessons formulated a blend of the following: English, literature, etiquette (Which Kagome did not care for), religion, history and a few other unimportant teachings. She had never been fond of the endless amount of schooling.

The only subject which did in the slightest interest her was history. She loved to hear her tutor describe the wars between human and youkai, she was always eager to acquire more information when it came to the topic.

Kagome's mother had no choice but to let Kagome off with a warning today.

The teen stumbled around outside, everything else was unimportant to her but her own thoughts. She couldn't get Inuyasha off her mind. The silver flowing hair, the tiny triangular dog ears that protruded from his head. He was so strange, so… bizarre. She needed to know more about him.

That night when Kagome went to bed he was the only thoughts she had.

She stood on the top of a hill overlooking a cliff. Her feet were bare and she wore no more than her azure silk nightgown. The sun was nowhere in sight, a slight wind rattled the branches of a nearby tree. Her bright eyes almost glowed in the dim light. A hazy fog slowly crept around her, it almost seemed to mold to her shape and glow with bright colors as it danced like smoke…

Kagome's eyes fluttered open; she yawned slightly then sat up. The suns beams flowed freely through her tiny window. She had overslept again; she glared at the door with an unhappy frown. Her father had still not returned. She pushed the matter aside and her first priority became getting dressed. She picked a pale blue dress, it was nothing fancy.

After getting into the clothes she went out into the kitchen. Her mother was humming a tune and mixing contents of the bowl she was holding. Kagome looked at the ground then back to her mother; her mother's eyes that were identical to her own were now regarding her. Kagome opened her mouth about to speak when she was interrupted by her parent.

"Kagome I swear you sleep like the dead." Her mother set the bowl down and looked back at her child. A slight frown grew in her features, "Heavens what are you wearing, I didn't know you had anything so repulsive in your wardrobe."

Kagome's gaze centered on the dress she was wearing, now that she looked at it, it was rather ugly.

Kagome sighed, "I'm going out and I didn't want to make any of my expensive dresses ruined."

Her mother shook her head and laughed dryly. "You're not going anywhere until you do your schooling. Also I want you out of that dress and into this." Her mother came around the counter and went into her room; she came back out with some cloth folded in her arms.

Kagome was passed the outfit; she soon disappeared into her bedroom with a grim expression on her face. Her mother waited patiently in the kitchen, she had returned to her previous doings and was mixing. When Kagome came back out her mother's face held a precious look of satisfaction and joy.

The dress was more like a gown; it had a corset back which was tied neatly and efficiently. It flowed down to her ankles and she was forced to lift the bottom as she walked. It was a perfect shade of silver and in the sun had a tint of light blue. It was sleeveless and the top sat perfectly above her breasts. It showed her curves and had a silky feel to it. Her mother smiled at her, the tears of happiness filling her eyes. Her daughter had never looked so beautiful; she would truly make a fine wife one day.

Kagome twirled around once, the fabric danced around her and came to a stop as she did. The dress in itself was beautiful but with Kagome wearing it, it was gorgeous. The way her bed hair draped over her shoulders and down her back almost to her tailbone. Her seemingly flawless features and bright eyes. Her mother wiped a stray tear away with her sleeve.

"So… How do I look?" Kagome asked flicking her gaze to her mothers.

Her mother smiled and laughed, "You look beautiful dear."

The tutor arrived on time, as he always did. But today he was in a foul mood. He paid no mind to Kagome's fabulous new dress and went straight to the lessons. He didn't allow Kagome to ask a question and if he caught her dozing off he would smack her with the diamond tipped cane he wielded.

He talked for what seemed like ages about religion, and don't even get me started on English. Then just as Kagome thought she was going to expire from the lack of interest he began, "Be smart girl. What is the most dangerous type of youkai?" He questioned.

Kagome knew the answer immediately and answered, "The ones that can take on human form."

He nodded, "Good, and do you know why that is?"

"Because they can blend in with society." She stated proudly.

"Yes, and if a youkai becomes a part of society then it becomes a troublesome matter."

Kagome thought a moment before asking, "When the youkai are hunted what happens to the youkai that are only children and infants? They aren't dangerous…"

The man snorted, "Not dangerous? They are the most dangerous! People think that taking pity on them because they are young is a kind thing to do, but absolutely not! All youkai are to be killed on sight, and it is a heinous crime to not report one."

Kagome reflected deeply about that, how could someone so small be… dangerous? Her mind gave her an image of the boy in the forest; the looks he gave her were filled with hatred. Had something happened to him? She frowned in thought of someone hurting him just because of what he was.

The lessons continued on tirelessly until dinner time. Kagome was disappointed that she had told Inuyasha back in the forest she would return today. Alas there was nothing she could do. She would have to return tomorrow.

For dinner they had freshly made biscuits and a roast. Kagome stowed some biscuits away in a little leather bag, she came to the conclusion she would give them to Inuyasha as an apology. After supper she descended into her room. The dress was still flawless even as she slipped it off and put on her nightgown. She looked at the beautiful sea of silver the dress created as it lay draped over the side of her bed. She ran her hand through the fabric taking in the silky soft touch of it.

Suddenly a knock at the door brought her attention from the dress. It opened to reveal her mother. Kagome took note in the wooded box she carried. Her mother smiled genuinely then took a seat next to her daughter on the bed. The little box sat on her lap.

"How do you like the dress?" She asked softly.

Kagome smiled, "I love it, thank you."

Her mother answered with a smile and a nod. Then her face turned slightly serious as she eyed the box.

"Mother? What's that?" Kagome asked referring to the timber container.

Her mother gazed at her with a sweet smile. "In this box there is a very special item I wish to give you." She began to open the container, "It is called the Shikon no Tama, or the Jewel of Four Souls. It is very valuable and has been passed down through generations of our household." Inside the box was a beautiful purple crystal. It was shaped like a sphere and seemed to almost glow.

Kagome eyed the precious jewel. It was almost like she was hypnotized by its beauty. Her mother ever so gently lifted the artifact; it was on the end of a silver chain. The parent undid the laches and brought it around her daughter's neck, she re-fastened it and it hung naturally around her slender collar. Kagome touched the jewel with her hand in a way that someone would touch a delicate flower.

The beauty of the jewel mellowed with Kagome's natural beauty. Together they made one another look all the more marvelous.

"It's yours now, so take care of it." Her mother stated.

Kagome gave her a bright grin, "Of course, I'll never take it off."

Her mother nodded, she got to her feet steadily then kissed her daughter on the forehead before departing the room. Kagome felt like this responsibility was a blessing rather than a curse, the moment her eyes laid on the jewel she knew she yearned for it. She placed the dress on the back of her chair then climbed into bed. She snuggled her face into her pillow and fell asleep grasping the jewel and a slight smile on her lips.

She suddenly got the idea that she wanted to see Inuyasha even more, she wanted to please him with her mother's baked goods and show off her necklace. She wanted to get to know the youkai, the monster who saved her life.


I hope you enjoyed the new chapter, please leave me a review so I know what you think. Also, the more the reviews the faster the updates. If I get a certain amount of reviews I'll update twice today!