Okay, here's my next story. I really hope that you enjoy it! Okay, my rating is due to the fact that there will be swearing. Usually it will not be in every chapter but this chapter is one of them, so if you are offended by it…please don't read and/or flame me. It would make me sad.

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha…so don't sue me, besides all you would get is college debts, pocket lint, and the 32 cents in my back pocket. Its not worth the legal costs.

"Hunted"

Chapter One

You could say that Kagome was just your average high school student. She went to school, had a couple good friends, had an after school job, and even managed to get fairly good grades. Sure she wasn't a straight A student but she did her best. And her job was not one she would keep once she found something better but Kagome was happy. She had a good life and she was content with the way things were. Her family was caring and she had her future all mapped out; in fact, she was planning on going to college and majoring in business. She might not have a boyfriend but, hey, they were pretty much trouble in her opinion. She hadn't yet met a guy that could convince her that relationships were anything but trouble. That Hojo was a prime example of this; he was such a pest and couldn't get anything through his head, no matter what Kagome said to him. Even the fact that he was one of the better looking guys in her grade didn't sway her, in fact, her experience led her to believe that the better looking they were, the less there was beneath the surface All in all, despite minor aggravation and stress, Kagome enjoyed her life and its lack of complications…

"Kagome!"

Kagome groaned as her mother's irritated voice made the first sound of the day. It couldn't be morning already! Trying to block out the unwelcome reality, Kagome rolled over to the wall and clamped a pillow over her head. Her brief, and blissful, doze was interrupted once again by her mother's voice.

"Kagome Higurashi! Get out of bed this moment or you'll be late for school!"

With no sign of life yet detectable, Kagome's mother went up the stairs herself and flung open the door to Kagome's room. Kagome lay prone in her bed with a pillow firmly clamped over her head.

"Kagome!"

"…"

"Kagome, get out of bed this instant! I can't believe you are almost an adult and I still have to drag you out of bed in the morning!"

(Did I mention that Kagome had the tinniest trouble getting up in the morning?) Finally Kagome's mother yanked the blankets and pillow off her daughter and practically dragged her out of her bed; Kagome then sleepily complied with her mother and started getting ready for school.

"Humph," her mother huffed, as she bustled back downstairs.

Kagome pulled her school uniform on, ran a comb through her hair, bushed her teeth, and hurried downstairs for some breakfast. Her grandfather and brother were already chowing down by the time Kagome took her seat. Kagome then wasted no time in imitating the movements of the male members of her family.

"Kagome, I would really appreciate it if you would make more of an effort to get yourself up in the morning," Mrs. Higurashi said, turning briefly around from the counter in front of her to cast a stern look at her unrepentant daughter.

"Okay, okay." Kagome took a sip of miso and continued, "Mother, the deadlines to apply for colleges are coming up and I really need you to come to school for a meeting with some of the advisors and administrators so I can start applying."

Kagome's mother was not facing the table so no one could see the tears that suddenly sprang into her eyes or the way a sudden spasm of sorrow and fear distorted her maternal face. And her emotion was apparently to great to control for she spoke without turning around.

"Kagome, I've told you. I do not believe that you should go to college until you can be sure of the plans the future may hold for you. I simply cannot give my permission to you, and as you need both my permission and financial assistance, it's out of the question. At least for now."

"Mother! I don't understand you. This is important to me I know its what I want to do! I've never been more certain. Mother, please."

"I'm sorry Kagome…now, eat your breakfast."

"I'm finished."

Kagome jumped up, threw her napkin on the table, and fled from the table; tears, which she didn't want seen, appeared in her own eyes.

'Why is mother doing this to me? She has always supported me in everything. What has she against my going to college? It just doesn't make sense to me…I wonder if something is bothering her? She hasn't seemed herself in awhile…Or perhaps there are financial problems with the shrine? I've noticed grandfather looking worried. But then why do they seem so concerned about me? I just don't understand…'

And try as she might, no answers to explain her mother's behavior came to her. And the sting of her mother's stubbornness continued to prick painfully within the back of her mind.

"Kagome!"

"Hey, Kagome."

"Over here, girl!"

Kagome whipped around, a grin spreading across her face, as she recognized the voices belonging to her three best friends. Much of her pensiveness vanished at the happiness at seeing her friends.

"Hey guys! How are you all doing? Ready for that Trig test?"

"Ug, Kagome…not all of us are the math wiz that you are."

"No, Kagome just studies and so do I. You would do a lot better if you actually cracked the books once in a while."

"Ha ha."

Kagome cleared her throat. She knew better then to let those two get going too far on their rants concerning school and studying. They could likely be at it for another ten or twenty minutes; once they got going, they grew oblivious to anything but their argument. "Hey guys, we should get to home room. Meet you at the benches for lunch?"

"Sure."

"Okay."

"Good idea, Kagome."

So the foursome split up and each went to their own homerooms. Once she left her friends' sides the gloom descended upon her again as she once again began trying to find some explanations for her mother's behavior.

'I think I did well on that Trig test, if I do say so myself.' Kagome thought somewhat smugly.

Though she would never rub it in to her friends, it did give her a certain amount of satisfaction to know that she did well on a test that she put a good deal of effort into. Bump.

"Watch out, Kagome!"

"Sorry."

Kagome decided that she should probably stop day dreaming and pay attention or she was likely to wear her lunch instead of being able to eat it. She made her way out of the cafeteria and walked to a small clusters of benches. There were trees everywhere and she saw that her friends had already started eating. Kagome settled down at the bench and got down to the serious business of eating. Kagome would never describe herself as a glutton but she liked to eat. And those close to her claimed that she turned into a grump if she didn't eat. Kagome disputed this though she could admit to feeling a little…out of sorts when she was hungry. But her friends were far from opposed to indulging in a good meal and there was silence until they were about half way done and Erin spoke.

"Hey Kagome, so are you coming to that meeting? I think some college representatives will be there speaking. It would be a good time to find out what college you want to go to."

Something in Kagome's stomach seemed to do a flip-flop and suddenly her lunch didn't seem so appealing. She pushed her tray away as she spoke, not quite meeting her friend's eye.

"No, I can't go. My mother is sick and my grandfather couldn't get all the way out here."

"You should really hurry, Kagome. Deadlines are approaching. Besides, you have such good grades that you are sure to get in, no problem."

Kagome just smiled in a non-committing manner. 'I hate lying to my friends but they wouldn't understand why I can't go. I don't even understand.'

Kagome was sitting at the kitchen counter sulking over some ramen noodles when her mother walked in, staggering slightly under the weight of two bags of groceries. Kagome, who normally would have jumped up to help, didn't even look up. Her confusion, concern, and sadness over her mother had fallen away and been replaced with annoyance. Because she could find no logical explanation for her mother's behavior she had come to the conclusion that there was no explanation; hence her annoyance.

"Kagome? Where are your brother and grandfather? It seems rather quiet."

"Souta went to a friend's house and grandpa is out on the grounds supposedly exorcizing out some demon ants."

Kagome's mother took a deep breath that Kagome didn't notice. Since they were alone, now was maybe the best time to tell her…ring, ring

Kagome answered it. "Hello?" A pause. "Erin!! Hey, how's it going?...really?!...totally, that would be great!...okay…okay…okay, so nine o'clock?...Great! Okay, see you there!"

Kagome set down the receiver feeling happier then she had been. Her mother turned to look at her, questions in her eyes.

"Who was it, dear?"

"That was Erin. She was calling to tell me that the girls are going to take me out to dinner on my birthday. Actually, they're going to take me out the day before my birthday, on Friday."

"You can't go."

"What?"

"You can't go."

"Why not?! You know them; It'll be okay! It's in town. And besides, it's my eighteenth birthday, that only comes around once in my life!"

"I'm sorry, Kagome. But you can't go. And that's final."

Kagome felt the tears begin to run down her face as she turned and fled up to her room. 'What is going on with mother?'

Kagome didn't mention her birthday for the next week and she noticed her mother and grandfather get increasingly emotional and pensive over that week. Kagome wondered if she shouldn't go. Her mother and grandfather had always done everything in her best interest before. Perhaps there was a good reason for them so suddenly restricting her…

'No! They're just being unreasonable this time! I'm going! I don't care!'

Friday rolled around and Kagome felt a small knot of anxiety growing in her stomach throughout the day. An anxiety that seemed to have no real root in anything tangible.

'Why do I feel this way? I should be happy.'

Kagome pushed away the reasoning that said she was possibly just feeling guilty for planning to deceive and disobey her mother, all for the sake of going out to dinner with her friends. She might or night not be feeling guilty but it didn't matter; they were wrong. She would enjoy herself, besides, what could happen?

Kagome got home from school and paced around the house and her room until eight o'clock when she decided it was time to get ready. So she took a shower, got dressed, and blew her hair dry so that it lay loose around her shoulders. She put on a light blue spaghetti strap dress which fell just above her knees and had a modest scoop neck. She put on her (fake) pearl necklace and white sandals. She put on small earrings, but no make-up. She cracked open her bedroom door and peeked out into the hall.

'I can't believe that I'm sneaking out of the house…I hope mother will forgive me.'

Kagome reached the restaurant and walked inside, scanning for her friends. She found them near the back and walked over. They all jumped up from the table and showered her with hugs and a chorus of "happy birthday"s.

Kagome felt her anxiety depart rapidly and she grinned as she hugged her friends. Kagome's eyes fell on the table. It had been decorated with flowers and balloons and there was a small pile of presents. It was beautiful but this wasn't what mad her turn blank and silent. Hojo had just risen form the table and was smiling at her. Looking like a buffoon in Kagome's opinion.

"Hojo!" Kagome finally spluttered. "What are you doing here?!"

Hojo didn't seem at all put out at the incredulous demand in Kagome's tone. If anything he seemed…smug. Idiot.

"To celebrate with you," he said, eyebrow raised, as if the answer were obvious.

"B-but-" Kagome stopped abruptly as Erin nudged her. Kagome bit down her protests with effort.

As everyone was busy getting settled Kagome took advantage of the noise to hiss at Erin, "What's Hojo doing here?!"

Erin looked surprised. "We invited him."

"Why?"

"He wanted to come. He likes you, you know."

"I know that," Kagome said impatiently. "So?"

"Kagome! I cant believe you, he's only the hottest boy at school."

Kagome waved this aside. "So? Maybe he's good looking but he's dime, thick-headed, and conceited."

Erin shook her head. "Are you ever going to have a boyfriend if you're so picky?"

Kagome humphed. "Guys are too much trouble. And the good looking ones are the worst.. they act like the sole purpose of a girl is to fawn. No thanks. I haven't met a guy yet who I could stand much less be interested in."

"Sometimes I just don't understand you," Erin complained. Kagome shrugged.

Dinner was fairly uneventful and Kagome enjoyed herself despite the fact that she had been placed next to Hojo. Kagome remedied this by ignoring him and giving one word answers when he spoke to her. Still he persisted in grinning stupidly. Men…

They finished dinner and Erin insisted that Kagome start opening her gifts. She was just reaching for the first on when Hojo laid a hand on her arm. Kagome snatched her hand away and scowled. He only grinned and handed her a small box. Kagome tried to decline but he insisted until Kagome gave up and opened the silver box. She lifted away the thin layer of white tissue paper that was suspiciously wrinkled, as though it had been used before, and revealed a silver bracelet. Kagome lifted it out of the box and looked more closely at it. It was an ID bracelet and engraved on it was…Hojo's name. She turned to look at Hojo. He grinned at her.

"I…you…what," Kagome spluttered, her ability to seem coherent seeming to have deserted her.

"I knew you'd like it, Kagome," he said.

He reached over and picked up the bracelet. Kagome stared. What did he think he was doing? An ID bracelet? Was he crazy? She'd never given any indication that she was tolerated him much less wanted some kind of attachment. He must be more self-absorbed than she had originally thought. Hojo was in the process of attempting to fasten the bracelet around Kagome's wrist when she finally seemed to regain control of her body. She snatched her hand away so quickly that she knocked the bracelet to the floor, not that she cared.

"What do you think you're doing?" she hissed.

"Putting the bracelet on your arm," he said, seeming surprised.

Kagome closed her eyes briefly. 'Lord, please help me to have the patience to deal with this complete idiot. Prevent me from poking out his eyes or stuffing that wretched ID bracelet down his throat, I'd hate to be arrested.'

She opened her eyes and with some difficulty managed to speak calmly. "I don't want your bracelet, Hojo."

"Why?"

"Because I don't."

The grin slipped off Hojo's face and he suddenly seemed angry. "Why not? I'm letting you wear it…aren't you pleased?"

"No," she said flatly.

"Well you should be," he said angrily. "There are more beautiful girls than you out there and I'm giving it to you. Aren't you setting your sights a little high."

Screw civility. This ass was just asking for it! "I don't give a shit if there are more beautiful girls out there," she said coldly. "If being beautiful attracts assholes like you, than I prefer being ugly. And you may be good-looking but you obviously have spent more time making sure your hair is perfect than you have developing any kind of personality. You're arrogant, rude, narcissistic, and those are the least ugly aspects of your personality. So you can take that damn bracelet and bestow it on some brainless twit who doesn't know any better because I sure as hell don't want it."

Hojo stared at her, blinking confusedly as though he had just been hit with a frying pan. And, in a sense, he had been hit, by Hurricane Kagome in all her angry glory. Kagome's friends seemed to have, finally joined her side after this display. Erin stood.

"You should go now, Hojo," Erin said frigidly. "No one insults Kagome like that."

Hojo stood and stomped away, pausing only to yell, "If you think I'm paying for dinner you're crazy!"

Erin sat back down and shot an incredulous look around the table. "Does he really think that will injure us in anyway."

"Apparently he does," Kagome said with a small smile. "He's an idiot, remember?"

"I'm sorry for pushing him on you, Kagome. Looks like you were right about him."

"Don't worry about it. Now, I think that cake looks really lonely."

So they soon forgot about Hojo as they set out opening gifts and eating chocolate cake, their chatter cheerful.

At about eleven thirty Kagome thought she was probably starting to push her luck and decided to go home. She gave each of her friends a hug and thanked them.

"Are you sure you should be walking home at night, Kagome?"

"It's fine. It'll be okay."

Kagome checked her watch. 11:55. She walked more quickly, it really was getting late. She had been walking about five more minutes when she stopped dead in her tracks, nearly dropping the bag which contained the gifts from her friends. The oddest sensation was rippling through her body. It didn't hurt exactly, but it was distinctly uncomfortable. Not only did her body feel foreign but she endured an uncomfortable five minutes or so of slackening and tightening of her skin. Then suddenly it stopped. Kagome was completely puzzled. What had just happened? Kagome shrugged, started walking, and almost immediately stopped again.

'What is going on?'

Kagome thought she must be hallucinating. Suddenly she seemed to be able to smell EVERYTHING. (Someone three blocks over in the third house really needed to get rid of that old jack-o'-lantern) Her eyes also seemed changed. Everything was so clear. It didn't seem any lighter out but she could see as well as though it was day. Maybe she was more tired than she thought…

After what seemed an eternity, Kagome got to her house. She had no sooner stepped into the kitchen that her mother swooped in and Kagome knew that she had been waiting for her in the living room. Kagome braced herself for a serious lecture but it never came as the angry look vanished from her mother's face and her face took o the appearance of utter horror.

"Mother?"

No response

"Mother?!"

Kagome's last outburst had a good deal of alarm as that her mother had collapsed into a chair with a shaking hand to her eyes. Kagome grew even more alarmed as her mother then began to mumble to herself, seeming oblivious to her surroundings.

"Oh, no. What am I going to do? I didn't really believe…poor Kagome…"

Her mother continued on this vein and Kagome, unable to get any sense out of her, decided to see for herself if she could see what had caused her mother to look at her in such a manner.

Kagome walked into the bathroom. Her jaw dropped and her eyes bulged. What?! Bu-but…this was…this couldn't be…there must be some mistake…she felt her mind go blank, unable to comprehend or accept what was before her.

For what Kagome saw in the mirror was not her. Or rather, not quite right. Her normally shoulder length black hair had lengthened to her waist and was now silver. Her brown eyes had narrowed and turned purple. Her ears had become slightly pointed. Her lips seemed fuller and darkened to a deeper and richer shade of red. As she put a hand to touch her hair, she let out a new gasp, followed immediately by another. The first gasp had resulted when she had noticed that she had claws, very short ones, but claws nevertheless. The second gasp had resulted from when she got a good look at the inside of her mouth. She had fangs. Fangs? What was she?! Kagome suddenly horrified, and unable to cope, let out a scream of fear. She put a fist to the mirror, which, to her surprise, shattered. Kagome's mother seemed to finally have recovered her senses and came rushing in at the sound of Kagome's scream. Kagome turned but could only stare at her mother with her bleeding fingers held before her and tears pouring down her face. And then she bean to sob as her fingers healed before her eyes and the only evidence of injury was the drying blood under her claws. She gazed pleadingly at her mother who stepped forward and enveloped her frightened daughter in a hug.

Kagome's mother sighed deeply. "Perhaps it's time I told you…"

"First of all, biologically I'm not really your mother," she said once they'd settled themselves on the couch. "Technically I'm your aunt. But please understand that I do think of myself as your mother, I love you as I would a daughter. Your mother, my sister, was what you would call a miko. I'm sure your grandfather has explained at one point or another, what that is. Anyways, she was a miko. And she fell in love with a wonderful man who was everything to her and who seemed to think the world of her."

Mrs. Higurashi sighed and continued, "Your father was a demon, and a powerful and somewhat influential one at that. There were, and are, many demons who objected to the union, they consider humans second or third class and those children resulting from mixed marriages to be tainted in some way. And many humans possessed much of the same mentality.

"But your parents thought only of the love they had for each other and they were married. Your mother was only two months pregnant with you when your father was murdered. You wouldn't know this, but demons are hunted out and ritually disposed of. This was the reason behind your father's death. Demons must exercise great care that their true identities are never discovered but I believe your father lapsed in his happiness. Your parent's marriage had remained, somehow, undiscovered, so your mother was safe, but she nearly wasted away with grief for her dead husband. You were the only thing which kept her alive. But shortly after your birth, your mother passed away as well. However, she knew her time was approaching and so she decided to ensure at least your temporary safety. She used her miko powers to conceal the demon blood that runs together with her own within your veins. However, in her weakened condition, the spell would only be able to last until your eighteenth birthday and after placing the spell on you, she died.

"Oh, my dear, I wish I could have spared you this pain. But I must tell you, as much as I wish it wasn't true. You are in danger. It is not just demons that they hunt out, but those with any demon blood. Now that the spell has worn off, they will become aware of your presence. And they will be coming for you."

She stopped and gazed at Kagome, tears beginning down the maternal face that seemed to have aged since she started talking a mere half hour before.

Kagome couldn't believe this. It had to be some sick joke. Had to be. Kagome's mother reached out a hand to comfort her. But Kagome jumped to her feet, knocking her mother's hand away.

"Don't touch me! I don't believe you! Get away from me!"

Without further ado, Kagome ran out into the night with her mother calling out for her to come back.

Kagome ran and ran. She ran so far and so long that by the time she stopped, exhausted form her efforts, it was nearing twilight and she didn't have any idea where it was that she had come to a rest. All that she knew was that she had left the city and entered deserted countryside. Kagome sat on a grassy knoll, spread-eagled like a lost little girl, tears still streaming down her face. Kagome took deep breaths attempting to try and calm herself. She began to speak out loud to herself to dispel some of the loneliness she felt at the silence that seemed to engulf her.

"Okay, Kagome…deep breaths. You've been through worse…hmm, no I haven't but still, I can't fall to pieces. It's not so bad. You are an outcast from society, actually an orphan, and just discovered an entire population of people you belong to who happen to be hunted out…no biggie."

Kagome hid her face in her hands.

"Who am I trying to kid? I've never been in a worse spot!"

Kagome was just managing to work herself up into a good cry when suddenly she became aware of someone approaching her. She halted the potential waterworks at once as she, instinctively, began to feel the presence of someone or something dangerous. She didn't know how she could tell that something she couldn't identify wasn't something good but she knew it somehow, some kind of sixth sense told her as much.

She sniffed the air, blushing as that she felt distinctly stupid acting like some kind of dog. Hmmm, the presence was human, but, somehow, different. Just as she was getting puzzled, she let out a scream as something came hurtling toward her at an intense speed. Kagome just managed to throw herself out of the object's path as it embedded itself in the ground where she had been sitting. Kagome took a closer look. It was an arrow. But not just any arrow as that it was glowing with a black light and it caused the ground beneath it to decay slightly before it stopped glowing and crumbled into ashes. Kagome felt her stomach churn at the thought of what could have happened had the arrow hit her instead of the grass. She didn't much fancy having parts of her eaten away after being pierced by a sharp arrow. Call her crazy, but it just didn't seem to hold the potential of being a fun experience. After gazing stunned at the arrow for a couple seconds…

'Ahhh, stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Someone had to have shot that arrow and they could easily nail you while you stupidly stand gaping at a hole in the ground!'

Kagome whipped around, spotted the person who must have shot the arrow at her, and let out a gasp. The woman was wearing a white blouse, red dress pants, and flats. Her hair was pulled back in a low ponytail and reached quite far down her back. She held a bow in her hand and wore a quiver of arrows across her back. The part that had made her gasp, however, was the woman's face. Despite subtle differences and a cold expression, the woman looked just as she had when she had been human.

"Who are you?!" Kagome yelled, attempting to control a quiver in her voice.

The woman smirked slightly. "My name is Kikyo. And I have come for your life."

Okay, that's the end of chapter one! Please R&R