Brisk winter winds beat away at the small amount of heat she had been receiving, and enjoying, from the sun. Spring should have been on its way by now. But it seemed that winter wanted to keep its icy grip on the world for as long as possible. So it continued to chase away the suns comforting rays.

It had snowed all night the night before and her boots were marring the perfect white blanket that had been spread ever so carefully on the ground.

A particular strong, almost angry gush of wind pushed her down as if it were punishing her for destroying the perfect marble master piece beneath her clumsy feet.

With a small thud she landed on her back on the hard cold ground. The beige hat she wore promptly fell off her head, revealing long black tresses that curled and crimped slightly at the ends.

Her breath was visible when she let a loud pent up sigh escape from her slender throat. This was just going to be one of those days. She knew it. It had started badly when the grouchy old hag that owned the orphanage she lived at, gave her the revolting job of fetching the eggs out of the chicken coop.

Sure, that may not be the hardest task in the world. And when dealing with your average chicken it wasn't. But these chickens, these chickens were the poultry from hell. These were like demonic Kung Fu, Jackie Chan reincarnated chickens.

From her involuntary spot on the cold floor she looked up to the heavens. She wasn't below trying to stall for time. Crisp blue sky, and the bark of the trees, damp from the melting snow met her frustrated gaze. She had no desire to get up at all. Getting up meant resuming the boring every day routine that got her no where. With no fun, no friends, and no family. All she had to look forward to was her studies and the three years that lay ahead of her. Three long years until she could leave her prison for good.

Until then, all she had to her name was a beautiful lavender sphere she wore around her neck on a thin silver chain.

Inside the almost clear depths of the jewel was the one and only thing she knew for certain. Her name. Kagome.

As Kagome fingered her necklace with care she watched a thin ribbon of tree sap drip down from a tear in the bark. The rich brown liquid mirrored her unique eye color as it landed in the sparkling snow, discoloring the white hue. That's what this place was doing to her. Discoloring the pure white of her soul that longed to be free of this miserable place.

"I must of had a family once. Must of." She mumbled the words she always repeated to herself. It was all the hope she had. Once of age she would escape from here and find her family. And then her family would help her regain her memory. And all the good that had happened then would block out her suffering she had endured from this place.

She released her necklace and stretched her limbs as far as they would go. Then she proceeded in bringing her arms back to her side and her boot clad feet back to each other. She repeated the rhythm until she was sure she had a decent looking snow angel.

With as much grace as the fifteen-year-old girl could muster she returned to her feet, careful not to destroy the angel she had created.

"Not so bad if I do say so myself." She said to herself with a bright smile. A loud voice from the orphanage floated down a few yards away and crashed into Kagomes eardrums.

"Hurry up child!"

Kagome wrinkled her nose and stuck her tongue out at the raspy voice, knowing that the lady who owned it couldn't see her. Really! Did that woman have nothing to do better all day except to imagine up things to torment people. Especially the human and demon children under her care. Her pleasant mood ruined, she went to fetch her hat and basket that had rolled away during her fall. Oh, well she was up. Her butt was getting cold anyways.

She returned her hat to its proper place on her head, so it could do its rightful job. Keep her ears warm. With the hand that wasn't occupied with the basket she adjusted her hat so that her dark bangs wouldn't bother her face.

Kagome turned slowly, taking in everything around her. There were three worn, snow covered paths. One led back to the orphanage. The second led to the chicken coop and a small frozen lake to the west of it. The third, however, led to a different town all together . She let herself fantasize about taking the third path (As she did every time she happened to come this way) as she tightened her beige coat around her. The long coat that nearly reached her knees, while not stunningly stylish, lent her a good amount of warmth and shelter from the wind.

She eyed the third path hungrily. Why shouldn't she take it? All the couples who came to adopt children wanted just that. Children.

Not nearly grown teens like herself. And it wasn't like anyone would miss her. It would probably take a few days for anyone to realize she was gone. She often made a habit of disappearing. She always had. Ever since she was brought to this place at the tender age of ten. Police found her bloody, scared, alone, and without any recollection of who she was or where she belonged.

The only thing that held her back was fear, right? Wrong...

A sweet, clear, voice shouted her name joyfully. The owner of the voice was the second and most important reason she stayed.

"Hey Shippo-chan." She greeted the small red head. He skidded to a stop just in front of her. He gazed up at the dark haired girl, his glowing emerald eyes were bright with child-like admiration.

"Hi Kagome! I thought I would help you with the eggs this morning."

She smiled down gently at the small fox demon. Yes. He was definitely a reason to stay. He was just as lonely as she was, and equally as desperate to escape from here. She wondered why such an adorable child had yet to be adopted. Probably because more human family's adopted children. Most Yokai found having to adopt a pup a wound to their festering pride.

"Aw, thanks Shippo. I appreciate it, but its cold out here and this is my responsibility. Not yours." She told him softly as she swept some snow off of her almost knee length dark green skirt. (She had no choice but to wear skirts and panty hose. She had outgrown all her jeans from last year.)

He looked as crestfallen as a puppy who had just gotten slapped with a rolled up newspaper. "Please let me stay with you, Kagome. I would much rather freeze my tail off out here then go back in that place." He shook his thick, tawny tail for clarity.

Kagome watched the kit, clad in his own faded pair of jeans and a thick black coat. He wore no shoes, hat, or gloves. Kagome knew it was because of his demon blood. She found herself often envious of the yokai race. They were just made of tougher stuff then humans, if Shippo's uncovered limbs were any clue.

She also knew that the orphanage was a bleary place for the young kit. No child as sweet as Shippo deserved to have to grow up at such a bleak area of existence. Kids needed warmth and love. Shippo received neither. Except from Kagome.

It was just horrible luck that Shippo was here in the first place. His parents had been killed by a yokai. All because they had tried to defend the emperor and empress from a demented yokai seeking there demise at one of their party's. If she remembered correctly they were hosting a birthday party for their ten year old daughter. Or so she was told.

A loud sniff from Shippo brought Kagome back to earth and away from her thoughts. His bright emerald eyes threatened to release a whole show of water works.

"Please K-kagome! Ca-can't we just leave? I hate it here so m-much." He was so choked by tears that he could hardly squeak his passionate words out.

She immediately dropped her basket as maternal instincts took over. She bent down on her knees and gathered up the small kit. She held him until the sobs that wracked his body stopped. She ran a soothing hand up and down his back. Half to herself, half to the boy, she whispered with a determination she hadn't known she possessed.

"Don't worry, Shippo. I promise I won't let you stay here another moment. We'll both leave today. Right now! I'll take care of you...and I'll get a job and we'll get a small apartment until someone recognized my talents in the work industry and we'll become millionaires and we won't ever have to come back. And I'll get you all the chocolate you could ever eat!" With a flustered smile she wondered if she was getting a little ahead of herself.

Shippo didn't seem to care.

"You mean it?" He shouted, all traces of his tears gone as happiness and excitement took over.

"Of course!"

He jumped up into the air with a victory yell. He danced all around the young woman throwing snow up in to the air with hardly contained joy.

As soon she said the words she wanted to take them back. She couldn't care for Shippo. She was still a kid herself. How would she feed and clothe him and herself? Sure, she had a little money saved. But surely not enough. Kagome couldn't bear to break the kits heart and tell him she had just got caught up in the moment...

She caught sight of her snow angel.

' If I have ever needed a guardian angel...now is the time. Please! Just give me a sign.'

Nothing happened except for the wind paused its attack against all solid beings. She turned ruefully back to the dancing kit.

Then suddenly a loud snap caught both Kagome's and Shippo's attention.

"My necklace!" She cried as she saw her beloved trinket roll down the path. Her hands automatically reached for her neck. Only the chain met her touch. It seemed a uncannily wise, sudden gust of wind controlled the sphere.

Shippo knew how much the necklace meant to Kagome. So without thought he raced off after it. "Don't worry Kagome! I'll get it back for you." He promised over his shoulder. It was the least he could do for the one person who cared about him.

"No, Shippo, wait! You can't go by yourself." She leapt to her feet and took off after the kit. Without either of them realizing it. They sped past the third sign that read:

To ooyama village.

With a jolly whistle a young man of seventeen walked with a light step down a snow covered side walk. His eyes were the color of the sky and they sparkled like the snow he treaded upon. His semi-long hair was pulled into a short dark pony tail at the base of his neck. A particular amount of bang was allowed to fall onto his boyish face.

He walked with his hands crammed into the pockets of his jeans. A section of a newspaper was gripped tightly in his clutches. The wind picked up slightly as he crossed roads and went down a back alley way, as nonchalant as anyone ever cared to be.

The young man soon left the noises of civilization behind him as he walked further into the heart of the alley. It grew notably darker, but if the young male cared he didn't let it show. He just continued to whistle a tune.

He paused at one of the abandoned buildings. There were many of them littered on this side of town. But this building seemed to catch his interest.

A fire escape latter dangled just above him. He pulled on it lightly three times and it obediently came down and landed with a sharp clang in front of him. He removed his hands from his pockets but kept the newspaper safely inside its confinements. His tall lanky figure scaled the steps without problem.

He stomped on the metal platform three times and the ladder went back to it's proper place. He smiled to himself as he opened a window easily. He stepped through and walked with ease down the dark halls of the rather large building. Although dusty and old the house still held remnants of beauty from its prime.

The handsome teen stopped only when he came to a wooden door. He could see light shine through the cracks in the door. The unmistakable sounds of human voices (And perhaps food) also met his senses.

He opened the door and stepped into a fairly large room. The carpet was a dark red and the wall paper was the same hue but decorated lavishly in gold.

There was a Television set, and two couches that decorated the room. On one couch a lean seventeen year old male glanced up sharply at the dark haired boy. His molten gold eyes narrowed onto the others blue ones.

He then returned to his bowl of ramen (So he had smelled food.)

"You look awfully happy, Miroku." He commented vaguely. His silver hair shone from the light in the fire place as his long, unruly bangs covered his eyes.

Miroku moved to sit on the couch with the silver haired boy.

"He's right. You do look unusually chipper this morning." A girl called from the other couch. Her long, arrow straight hair was pulled up into a high pony tail. It cascaded down her back like a chocolate waterfall.

"You'll see why soon enough my dearest Sango." He winked at her and shot a sexy grin. She frowned at him and looked back to the book she had been reading.

The silver haired young man glanced back up at Miroku. In answer he pulled the newspaper from his pocket.

"I'm sure you'll find it most interesting, Inuyasha."

Inuyasha only reached for the paper. He studied the front page for a while. A mischievous smirk slowly sneaked its way onto his handsome face. The two silver triangular dog ears that were placed high up on his head perked up visibly.

Sango noticed his mannerisms and left the comfortable perch she had made on her couch so she could stand behind Inuyasha.

Inuyasha's smirk allowed a small pointed fang to slip out onto his bottom lip. "Perfect." He whispered, seemingly bewitched by the inky letters printed on the paper.

"Let me see this." Sango commanded as she took the paper from the silver haired dog yokai. She cleared her voice and read the article.

"The crowned empress of Japan, the only one of the great Higarashi linage supposedly left has brought to all of Japans attention that whomever finds her lost daughter will get a staggering reward of...Holy crap! That's a lot of yen...Oh my! The shikon too?

"Although it's apparent to some that the only Higarashi that survived the attack from one of hells fiercest demons was Higarashi Akiko sama herself. It seems that hope still lingers in many a heart that her youngest daughter, Kagome Higarashi, survived the attack and will be able to continue the Higarashi linage. Many still can't believe that the empress herself survived the yokai, Narkau. It seems like asking for the princess is just too much.

But the empresses most trusted revisors say that Higarashi-sama honestly believes that her daughter is still alive. But if so why hasn't the young Higarashi returned herself? It seems no one knows the answer, but Higarashi-sama seems willing to pay a high price for it.. Since many hoaxes are to be expected High Priestess Keade will have an interview with all who believe they have found young Higarashi. She does this in hopes of trying to find the legitimate Higarashi sooner..." Sango trailed off, looking slightly stunned. Then the trio locked eyes with each other and broke into unmasked smiles.

"This is to perfect!" Sango shouted as she re-read the paper. "This is the solution to out problem."

"All we need to do is find a brainless wench that looks like she's of Higarashi blood and trick her and everyone else into thinking she's legit." Inuyasha smirked and drained the last of his ramen.

Miroku leaned back and crossed his arms behind his head. "I have had harder times brushing my teeth in the morning. Although, Inuyasha, it may be more difficult then you assume. You just can't grab a look-a-like and barge into the palace with your tetsusaiga.

" We'll have to make this girl really believe she's the lost Higarashi child. Not to mention we'll have to teach her everything about being royalty. And she'll have to be the right age...and gullible enough to believe everything we tell her."

"You just repeated everything I said, only made it sound harder then it is." Inuyasha scoffed at the dark haired boy.

"Well, He's right." Sango told Inuyasha. Placing her hands on her slim hips she grinned. "And tomorrow start stage one of our plan."

"Feh!" Inuyasha sniffed. But he looked pleased. The reward money would help Sango and Miroku...but the other reward would help him. A way for him to become full demon at last.

With their minds at rest they relaxed inside the building that gave them a advantage at the Higarashi competition. None of them expected the job to be an easy one...but it was going to be easier on them then they had ever imagined...

Kagome held a sleeping Shippo tight to her as they walked down a lightly crowded street. Her adrenalin was pounding inside of her as she plodded down unfamiliar land. It was exhilarating to be on her own...but she had to do her best to take care of shippo.

She shouldn't have left with out supplies. She had been kicking her self mentally for about two hours. The young woman kept an eye out for a potential job and a decent place to sleep. Not much luck on either. It was growing increasingly dark and many shops and inns were closed.

As the young woman gazed down into the sweet innocent face of the kit she knew that she had done the right thing by leaving. And there was no turning back now. The sun was sinking into the western sky, and taking all its heat with it.

She stopped in front of a news paper stand to put shippo under the protection of her coat. The head liner caught her attention. Particularly the reward money.

"Too bad I'm not the missing girl, huh? That would solve all of our problems." She chuckled down at the sleeping kit, whom answered her with adorable snores.

"Yes. I did good leaving with you. Everything happens for a reason after all, Shippo-chan." The curled up to her closely as if he made to absorb all of her body heat.

"But shelter first, right? Then we'll go get some food in the morning. I have enough for that at least."

She resumed her pace and watched all the colorful people flood in and out of the streets. Both Human and Yokai together. They weren't on the most friendly terms with each other but there was no longer blood lust between the two races.

"Isn't that how the emperor and his kids died?" She thought out loud. "I guess some yokai didn't want to be placed below humans."

Kagome watched the luminous moon brighten up the fading day. If you could still call it day. It shone in her hair and was soothing to her eyes. Her feet grew skittishly light on the ground as her own excitement touched her.

Without questioning it she crossed roads. No real reason, just following her feet. She scuffed snow up with the toe of her boots as she walked on. Until the hair on the nape of her neck stood up and she heard other steps besides her own.

She looked over her shoulder and saw a group of shady looking guys watching her back. Gangsters.

"Homigod." She whispered between her teeth, praying she was imagining things. No luck. She wasn't loony. Five men were still watching her with lustful faces. She could see the heat in their eyes as they approached.

She braced herself and did the only reasonable thing. Threaten them.

"Listen up you greasy bunch of jerks. I don't have anything for you to steal to you can save yourself of harassing me." She fired at them, her luminous brown eyes flared with fire.

Out of the five two were Yokai. She could tell by their markings and clan braids. If the stories Shippo were so fond of were true, these Yokai belonged to the panther clan.

"Alright! Last warning. I know Karate, Kung-Fu, Tai-kwon-do...and...several other intimidating forms pf martial arts."

She was a horrible liar.

One of the panther Yokai growled seductively. "Oh, but I do believe you do have something for us to steal."

The human standing beside him grinned wickedly. "I'll have to agree with you on that one."

The other demon took a step closer to the now frightened girl. Instinctively a hand flew out to protect herself, but her hand did more then that. A lavender tinted light left her palm and knocked the two yokai to their backs. The humans however just tripped over themselves and then onto their fallen comrades.

She took the opportunity to run as fast and as hard as she could. Her feet rook her down an alley way. She ran until her lungs felt they were about collapsed, she ran until she wanted to faint. She ran until her muscles vexed her angrily. She ran until she hit a slightly elevated ladder.

The metal contraption fell and landed just in front of her face.

"That...was a little to close for comfort." She panted, struggling to stand. Shippo still slept peacefully in her arms.

She studied the ladder and where it led. An old home. Looked antique and un-lived in. "Perfect." She whispered. The thanked any heavenly being that was watching her. Climbing the ladder to the best of her abilities (Since she had to hold Shippo with one hand) she made it on to the fire escape.

To her delight the window was unlocked. And even more to her delight, it was warm inside the still fairly beautiful building.

"Wow..." She sighed looking amazed at the architectural work this place housed. And it all seemed very, very, familiar.

She explored down the hall a ways, looking for a bed to sleep in. She only succeeded in making her way into the grand hall. The gigantic portrait displayed a lovely family dressed in expensive clothes. The one person in the painting looked a lot like her, just younger. It was a picture of a little girl with long black stressed that curled at the ends.

And with eyes that were the same color of sap leaking from a wound in a tree. She was to tired to stand much less study something. She walked to the wall and let her bike slide against the smooth marble. Hugging Shippo tight to her she let all slip away from her as she stared at the hand that had produced the light that had saved her from danger.

"How very odd..." she muttered closing her eyes..

Inuyasha snapped to attention, his right hand immediately went to the tetsusaiga. With his thumb nail he expertly let the sword relax in its sheath. He had heard someone come in, and not quietly about it.

Who ever it was they could only mean trouble. He left the room and a snoozing Miroku and Sango (He didn't want to be around when the temperamental female woke up. She would be fairly peeved when she saw how Miroku fell asleep.)

He caught the scent of a demon. So, someone else had the idea to come to this place? Well, if they wanted to keep it they would have to kill him first. And he was not easy to kill. His nose told him the grand hall. Sliding his beloved sword out of the sheath fully, he approached the grand hall with the grace of a cat. His amber orbs reflected the dim lighting and his teeth gleamed when he smirked.

What he found wasn't exactly a threat...as of yet.

A/N

Whoo! Chapter one is out. At 1:49 A.M. exactly. That's gotta be worth a few reviews, no? You know what they say. If you can't sleep: right fanfiction. Then others read fanfiction. Then if people can find it in their heart of hearts to review (It only takes thirty seconds to right a sentence!) And enjoy the fic you put your soul into. You right more and more until the reviewers stop coming. Because, reviews make the world go around. If you do enjoy this fic I will continue immediately. I'll probably (Hopefully!) Have the next chapter up In the next three days or so So...press the button.

Oh, and criticism is welcome. I'm trying to get better. Although this might not be my best since I wrote under the influence of laughing gas. (Review for the injured person whom just got their wisdom teeth out! Make the pain stop! )

SilverSqueakyInuEars

Disclaimer: I disclaim everything. Blah, blah, blah...Rumiko Takahashi...blah, bleh, bleh.