ch.1

ONCE THERE WAS A CASTLE...

They say that there is someone out there for everyone. That someone is born for another. Kagome did not know this, but what she did know was that she was not born for Koga.

"Please give me a chance!" Koga got on one knee and put his hands together.

"For the last time time, no, Koga." Kagome said angrily holding a basket in one arm filled with flowers and plants. She was a miko. Well, a miko in training. Her grandfather was her mentor. Kagome had great potential in her spiritual power, at least that's what her grandfather always said. The only thing she could do right now was collect herbs and use them for medicine. Honestly, the only potential Kagome could muster was to paint and collect the right herbs for the right job.

Koga took the basket from her.

"Koga! I need that!"

He held the basket above his head, "If you come with me you would never have to lift a finger. My clan can take care of you. I will be your loving husband. You ask for it and I'll do it!"

"Well," began Kagome, "can I have my basket back? And besides, if I don't do a thing for the rest of my life I'll get fat."

Koga gave her basket back, "But I'd still love you nonetheless."

Kagome stared at him in bewilderment. Didn't he have a life?

"Kagome?" The two turned around to see Souta standing in his old blue kimono.

"I'm sorry, Koga. I need to go. I'll see you later." Then Kagome ran off leaving
Koga behind.

"Thanks," Kagome said when they were out of ear shot.

"Does he still want you to marry him?" Souta asked playing with the loose threads on his sleeve.

Kagome sighed, "I'm afraid so. Souta, do you need a new kimono?"

"No, I'm just concerned," said the boy.

"About what?"

"Well, when do you think Grandpa will be back? He said that he'd return after the third sunrise. It's been seven already."

"Maybe, I should go look for him." Kagome said.

"But, what would Mama say?"

"I'll be back before you even notice." Kagome nodded her head in agreement with herself. Besides, she was a miko who knew archery. She could handle herself if she so happens to run into some wild animals or demons.

"I think that's everything," said the young miko setting up the saddle on the horse. She turned to her little brother. "If Mama asks, tell her that I'm running some errands and will be back by nightfall."

Souta nodded, but suddenly wrapped his arms around his older sister. "Be safe, okay?"

Kagome smiled and hugged him back, "I will."

The girl set off towards the forest on search of her grandfather. With her bow and arrows at hand and ready.

Kagome looked around the place. The forest was cold. Good thing she had brought a cloak. She wrapped it around herself and covered her head.

There was a howling a little too close to Kagome's liking. She trotted down a different path in hopes of not having any unfriendly encounters.

The howling got a little louder. Wait, she recognized that call. It was Koga's clan. Why were they following her?

This had happened before. She was alone in the woods that's when Koga captured her and claimed that she would be his woman. Was he trying to do this again?

The howls got louder. Kagome did not like this. She pushed the horse to go fast.

Kagome gripped the reigns tighter. She had to get out of there. Her grandfather was the most important thing right now. She couldn't get sidetracked.

The horse suddenly cried out. There was a wolf standing right in front of them. This, was not Koga's clan. Kagome thought as more surrounded them.

Kagome took off further into the dark forest. She looked over shoulder, "I think we're safe," said Kagome. Suddenly another wolf jumped out of no where. They turned once more.

That's when Kagome saw it. It looked like a temple or a mansion perhaps? No, it looked like a castle. That was strange, though. Kagome couldn't remember having a king.

The wolves just stood there growling at her, but they did not go any farther. Kagome got off the horse. Why were they just standing there? She took the reigns and walked slowly, but the wolves just ran away.

Kagome looked up at the sky. It was getting dark. Maybe, she could sleep here for the night? It looked abandoned. She didn't think the ghosts would mind if she stayed there for one night.

The girl walked up the steps timidly. Her bow and arrows in her hand just in case. She slowly slid the large front door open.

"Hello?" Kagome called only to be answered by her own echo.

Looked like she'd be safe.

The girl looked around, "Is anyone there? My grandfather is missing. He didn't happen to come this way did he?" Still silence. The girl turned a corner only to see a huge feast set out on a table. There were fresh candles lit. The food was marvelous, but Kagome wasn't hungry right now. The food did in fact tell her that someone lived there.

She walked somewhere else not wanting to be tempted to eat someone else's food.

"Darn, I thought she'd at least try the food," one voice whispered in the dark.

"Well, too bad, so sad. This girl is looking for her grandfather. She'd not going to stop just to eat something," whispered another more female voice.

"Miroku," whispered a third.

"What is it, Ayame?" Miroku asked.

"I did it, I did it!" Ayame chirped. "My wolves led her here!"

"Good job, Ayame," the second voice said.

Ayame nodded," Thank you, Sango."

"All right," Sango now turned to Miroku. "What's the next step to your perfect plan?"

Miroku suddenly smiled evilly, "We don't let her see the master."

"WHAT?!" The two girls roared.

"Until," Miroku quickly added in, "until we butter him up."

"What do you mean?" Ayame asked.

"Well, we let her stay, then we talk about how great the master is. Then she'd want to stay even longer. Then the two meet and the spell will be broken!"

Sango gave a suspicious look, "And when your plan fails?..." She trailed off.

Miroku looked put down, "Please my dear, dear Sango. Must you have so little faith?"
He took her hand.

Sango snatched her hand away. She stood up from where the three were sitting and said, "Well, if you want this to work, you better never let her meet the master. Especially tonight."

"Why's that?" Ayame asked until the other two both looked at her. "Oh-heh-heh," the girl slightly chuckled.

"Well,' Miroku now stood up, "better put my plan into action."

Kagome sighed. She looked for another possible room. All of them, so far, were filthy and messy. You'd think the person who lived here would take better care of their house.

"May I help you ma'am?"

Kagome turned around. Finally, some civilization!

She saw a young man perhaps a few years older than her. He wore a violet robe and held a long wooden staff. "Hello," he smiled, "my name is Miroku, and you are?"

"K-Kagome," said the young miko.

Miroku suddenly got a little closer to her, "You look strangely familiar. Have we met somewhere before?"

"Um, I don't think so," said Kagome stepping back.

"Well," said Miroku politely, "you seem to be lost. How about I take you to your room?"

Kagome looked a little surprised by this. "Um, have you seen an old man come this way? He's my grandfather and-"

Miroku shook his head, "No, my dear. Why don't you just rest and we can send out a search party for him in the morning."

"Oh, um, thank you." Kagome said walking after the young man.

The two passed by one specific wooden door where loud scratching and howls could be heard.

"What's in there?" Kagome asked intrigued.

Miroku walked a little faster, "Dogs."

"Really?" Kagome asked stopping at the door. "Then why are there sutras on the door?"

Miroku shrugged, "You came at a very unfortunate time. Tonight is the full moon. You know how dogs can get during the full moon."

A very human like growl came from within the door and more scratching could be heard.

"That didn't sound like a dog," said Kagome about to touch the door until Miroku all but dragged her towards a different hall.

"Your room is this way." Miroku said simply.

"Well," Miroku smiled, "here it is." He slid open a wooden door to reveal a beautiful room.

Kagome smiled, "Thank you. How much do I owe you?"

"Are you kidding," asked Miroku. "You are our guest and as our guest you can stay
here for free, for as long as you like." He then smiled and closed the door.

Kagome laid down on the futon. Another howl could be heard. Something told Kagome that she would not sleep well tonight.

TO BE CONTINUED...