Disclaimer: I do not own any characters used in this story. The characters belong to their respective owners: Rumiko Takahashi who owns Inuyasha and Yoshihiro Togashi who owns Yu Yu Hakusho. I do not make any moneys from this story.

This story was written for the Deadliest sin's summer 2012 contest. Enjoy!

Kagome's thoughts

'Other thoughts'

'Hiei's thoughts'

*Kurama's thoughts*

Fading to Black

It had been five years to the day; since her life had changed forever when she had been pulled down the bone eaters well and into the Feudal Era. Back then she had been so naïve and trusting; believing that her love for Inuyasha would save him and that at the end of her quest that he would choose life over death and herself over Kikyo. In that time Kagome had grown from the kind yet awkward school girl who knew nothing of the harsh realities of the world and survival in it, to a young woman; a warrior with courage and determination.

One year after returning to the Feudal Era she had thought for good, Kagome stood before the well once more as she looked around sadly with her azure eyes. She had tried no one could say she hadn't. When Kagome returned to Inuyasha he had seemed overjoyed and they quickly fell into the easy rhythm that life had been before she'd vanished for three years at the end of the quest.

When the quest ended and Naraku had finally been defeated, Kagome had been sent to her own world for a time where she completed high school, awaiting the day when the well would again open and her adventures would continue. It was during this time away from her companions that Kagome learned many things about herself. The biggest being she loved Inuyasha enough to give up everything for him. And she had.

Traveling around together fighting rogue youkai like they always had, kept things from feeling awkward, but there was nothing that could hide the growing distance between them. Inuyasha said he stay with her but his heart belonged to Kikyo as it always had even more so since she'd died again in the quest.

When nearly a year had passed with no further progress in their relationship, Kagome had taken matters into her own hands. When Inuyasha returned to the hut they stayed in when in Edo he found Kagome waiting for him wearing nothing but a crimson kimono made of sheer material. It was a bold step for her, but it seemed the right one at the time. She loved him and had thought he loved her too. She went eagerly to his arms and his bed thrilled her plan had worked and he'd chosen her. Excited that finally after all the waiting their life together could start, but in the afterglow of their love making he whispered his undying love for… Kikyo.

Kagome knew that it had been a mistake. In that moment while lying up next to Inuyasha realizing he would never love her, she gave up. She lost all hope in love and in herself. She had given all of herself him and he'd given nothing back. He'd taken both her innocence and her love for him with no care at all for her feelings. To him she had merely given him what he thought he deserved like he always had. She'd done everything for him, given up her home and family, her normal life and for what? What had he ever given her except to sometimes be there to save her when things got rough?

Occasionally he'd been kind to her but there had always been a price to pay. Now she had paid it. She owed him nothing more, had nothing more to give him. Gathering up all of her belongings she made her way alone to the well and pausing a moment to silently bid farewell to the past, she jumped in. She didn't worry that Inuyasha would come after her for he had not said a word to her as she left. It was painfully obvious now that whatever friendship, if it ever had been friendship, was as dead as her dreams.

Kagome dragged herself from the well and plastered a smile on her face before hauling her belongings out of the well and into her house with an exclamation of "I'm back home to stay everyone! My adventures are all over now." Her mother turned from the stove as her brother looked up from his homework and Gramps looked up from the newspaper. Her mother sighed softly before walking over to her daughter and taking some of her burden before leading her out of the kitchen. Once out of earshot of Souta and Gramps; her mother set her things down and pulled Kagome into a hug.

"I won't ask you what has happened Kagome, but someday I hope you will tell me everything now that it is over."

Kagome couldn't speak, could barely breathe with the pain eating her alive. How could she ever tell her loving, erratic and blissfully unaware mother of the horrors she had endured during her journey, or of the mistakes she'd made and the final one that had killed all her hopes? Simple, she just couldn't. Silently she nodded her head before slipping out of her mother's embrace and quietly going to her room, closing the door behind her.

Kagome wasn't ready to face anyone just yet. She crossed her room and lay down upon her bed soaking her pillow with the tears that had finally come. It was all over. The nightmare had finally ended and she'd woken knowing that her chance for a normal life was already over. The friends she'd pushed away no longer cared or had their own lives to live. The youkai friends she'd had in the past were probably either dead or had forgotten her by now. The modern world held no real adventure for her after the Sengoku Jidai. Wrapped in her despair she cried herself to sleep.

When the next morning came Kagome walked into the kitchen with a smile that was too bright and a demeanor that was too cheerful. "Good morning everyone," she chirped.

"Hey Sis," her brother responded in greeting.

"Good morning Kagome," Gampa said looking up over his tea cup

"Good morning dear, her mother replied setting a bowl of pickles on the table.

Their greetings were so normal it made Kagome mentally sigh before she sat down and quickly devoured her meal without another word. When she finished eating, she quickly gathered her dishes and carried them to the sink, turning on the water to wash them. Her mother stopped her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I'll wash the dishes today; just go do what you need to do, Kagome."

"Thank you Mom." Kagome replied once again using that overly cheerful tone. If she could help it she would never show her family the despair she felt inside. Still she could not stay here; this house and the shrine held too many memories. Kagome walked upstairs to get dressed and then silently she slipped out the front door without a word to anyone. Now that she'd decided on leaving home she would need a job and an apartment.

"That was painful wasn't it Mom? I've never seen Kagome so depressed before. She tries to hide it but I can tell."

"Yes, your sister will do anything to keep us from worrying. I believe that she will tell us everything in her own time, but until then we just love and support her best we can. Now hurry or you will be late for school Souta." The Higurashi matron said, as she bustled her fifteen year old son out the door with a wave and a smile.

She had a lot to do today. Packing everything Kagome would need would take some time and supplies. Kagome had not said anything but her mother just knew her daughter. Now that everything in the past was finished; Kagome would be planning to move out.

Kagome wandered aimlessly down several roads before she reached the train station. Looking over the lists of destinations she mentally crossed off the ones she had visited till she spotted a city she hadn't yet visited. Quickly purchasing her ticket she moved a bench to wait for the train's arrival. Sarayashiki City sounded interesting or at least the name of the city did. At any rate any place was better than remaining where she was.

When the train arrived she boarded quickly and sat down. Glancing around She noticed one elderly woman watching her. It only took a moment to see that that the woman was transparent and that people were walking through her. She was shorter than most people and her hair once may have been a vibrant pink, had grayed with age. Even so, wrinkled and aged she had power coming from her "body" in waves.

"You need guidance, girl." The spirit spoke gruffly.

Silently Kagome shook her head in the negative opening her mouth to argue when the spirit interrupted with a snappish "Horse shit, you do too. Don't give me that crap. I'm here to guide you for the moment so stop the self pity and listen." Once satisfied Kagome was paying attention she continued. "When you arrive in Sarayashiki City; walk three blocks to the south and two blocks to the east. There you will see a noodle cart and you will seat yourself down and say…"

"-I can't say that to a complete stranger!" Kagome objected loudly ducking her head awkwardly when she noticed the other occupants of the train casting strange looks her direction.

Genkai fixed her with a no nonsense glare, "You want my help or not? I don't have to be here to help you. I came by choice but if you are too stupid to accept-"

"No, I'm sorry spirit san, I am very grateful for your time. It's just I don't normally swear like that."

"The dimwit you are going to see won't recognize my words it they are soft."

"Couldn't I just tell him you sent me?"

"You could but this will get his attention," the ghost cackled wickedly.

Kagome sighed as she stepped out of the train. The city sprawled before her and she tightened her grip on her purse. Drawing a deep breath she took her first steps toward the place that the spirit had directed her to go. The walk was uneventful and the cart at first glance was nothing special but Kagome sat herself in one of the seats and waited for the cook to notice her.

"What'll you have?" He said without turning around as he stirred the broth.

Kagome drew a deep breath hoping the ghost knew what she was doing. "I need a Genkai ass kicking special."

"Wha-?" the man asked as he turned around to face her. He was much younger than she'd thought at first. Intense brown eyes looked her over as warning bells in her head alerted her to the fact that he was not human. He was tall and from the look of him, a fighter. He had large hands and a nearly overwhelming amount of power. "Did you say you needed a Genkai ass kicking?"

"I-I-I "Kagome stammered; glancing back to see a grin on the ghost's face. She scowled at her before gulping at the threatening glare she received. The ghost Genkai shook her head pointing at the man and then at herself.

"Hate to tell you but Genkai's dead." He stated flatly. Eying her like she was insane.

"She told me to ask for it! Now I have and I'm leaving." Turning to her right she huffed, saying under her breath "I said what you told me to, Genkai and now he thinks I'm a nutcase!" Genkai smirked and faded away.

"Wait, here sit down and eat this." Yusuke said placing a steaming bowl of ramen in front of her. "I have a feeling that you and I need to chat more than just a casual conversation. If Genkai sent you here I better listen to what you have to say."

Kagome picked up the chopsticks and began to eat while she gathered her thoughts. Why had Genkai sent her to this guy, correction, this youkai? What could he possibly give her in the way of help? Glancing to her left she noticed a sign on the side of the cart. "Help Wanted." Her eyes widened, "I need a job." The words slipped out before she thought about them.

"A job?" he tapped his chin "sure thing, but first I have to ask you a few questions. First thing, you can see ghosts and it didn't faze you so I'm guessing that either you are good with weird or you've had experience in the supernatural." He raised his eyebrows waiting for a response.

"Both I guess. Things like that don't bother me." Not after living in the Feudal era not that I'll ever be able to tell you that. Kagome thought bitterly.

He watched her eat a moment while thinking about her answer. She was hiding something. "That works, are you looking for a human job or a supernatural one?" He asked leaning back on the counter with his back to her but his head turned to watch her from the corner of his eye. She was gorgeous and she just screamed power to his senses still Genkai had sent her so he had no fear of her harming him, if he feared anything at all. The girl had a mysterious beauty, with her midnight colored hair pulled up off her neck and stunning azure colored eyes unique for Japanese women. She was petite with a feminine grace that hinted at her past telling Yusuke she was at least comfortable around him. If she had experience with the supernatural then she might know something about youkai, he hoped. Yusuke wasn't sure he could deal with another girl rejecting him for what he was, even if was only on a professional level.

Kagome eyed him curiously he was staring at her with a thoughtful frown and she wondered what she had said to cause it, "What does the supernatural one entail?" Hopefully asking about that one would ease his tension.

"For that one, I need an assistant, you see I'm something of a private detective for the supernatural world and this cart here is a cover as well as kind of a hobby." Yusuke sighed turning to face her fully 'might as well lay it all on the table.' He thought preparing mentally for her certain response "I get all kinds of clients but mostly youkai ones, would that bother you miss-"

"Kagome." She supplied tilting her head to one side at his tone. He sounded expectant and doubtful and Kagome suddenly knew why. This youkai had been hurt by rejection and from his look he was waiting for her to run screaming. Well she was not the average girl and it would take a lot more to send her packing.

He smiled wryly. 'I guess she should know who I am before she runs' he shrugged covering the action by reaching to dish himself a bowl of ramen "Urameshi, Yusuke. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"No," she said with a smile.

"No?" he asked confused for a moment as he held the ladle over his bowl trying to figure out the reason for the word. One of his dark eye brows rose as he frowned, waiting for an explanation.

"No, youkai don't bother me at all, "she elaborated with the same smile. Not all youkai any way. She added silently thinking of a hanyou who didn't deserve the thought.

Yusuke relaxed, pouring the broth into the bowl and adding the toppings he liked. He set his bowl on the counter and pulled over a heavy wooden crate to sit on. He didn't say anything for a short while as they slurped the noodles. Yusuke suddenly looked up as though he had suddenly come to a decision. Kagome paused mid slurp noodles hanging out of her mouth.

"You're hired then. I don't know much about businesses and how they determine wages and all that so I figure your wages will need to cover your expenses so let me know and we'll figure out the amount." He smirked as she sucked in the noodles hurriedly, trying to talk and be polite at the same time. "Take your time," he teased, amused further when she blushed.

"That's it? No questions about my past or how I know of youkai or anything?" Kagome asked somewhat in shock her blue eyes wide as she waited for him to reply

He took a mouth full of noodles and slurped them with a thoughtful look "Nope. I figure Genkai knew what she was doing sending you here so, we can learn more about each other in time. How's the ramen?"

"The ramen's good, thanks." Kagome said with a slow smile and a blush at his teasing tone. She tapped her lip with the chopsticks thoughtfully musing on her new situation. "I guess I will need a place to live, here I don't want to commute every day that would get expensive." Turning to Yusuke she asked "You live here, do you know of someplace I could rent?" "Yeah I know of a place, the rent is reasonable and the land lord is a pretty cool guy," Yusuke said with a flirtatious grin. Kagome looked at his grin and waited for his punch line. "You can live with me, but nothing weird or anything," he added quickly seeing her suspicious look. He held up his hands to stave off the remark he could see forming on her lips and hurried to explain "I inherited Genkai's temple after she died and there is tons of space there." He paused, thinking over how to word the rest. "You would pretty much have half of the house to yourself most of the time and if you don't like that idea; I can convert one of the other buildings into an apartment for you. The way I see it you can consider room and board included with the job. Except for an occasional visit from friends and the few youkai that live nearby on her lands I live there alone. Since Genkai made it a safe haven for youkai and anyone else who needs it, my place is your place."

Kagome thought about it for a moment thinking over the terms of her hire and finished up the rest of her ramen before she smiled holding out her hand to close the deal. "Whatever you say- Boss." He took her hand briefly marveling at how soft her skin was before a jolt ran up his arm and he let go. Kagome didn't appear to have noticed as she tossed her hair back over her shoulder and stood up. Rummaging through her purse she found a pen. "Here is my cell phone number. When do you want me to start?"

"Just call me Yusuke. You can start once you are all moved in." he as he jotted down his own cell number for her. "Here is the address of the temple and some money to cover your moving expenses. If you aren't doing anything this afternoon you can come look it over and let me know if you want that apartment built or not." He held up his hand to stop her. "It's no trouble Kagome; I want you to be comfortable. Also when you decide to move in I'll get my guys together to move the furniture." Yusuke said causally as he reached into his pocket and handed her a large random amount of money in a folded wad of bills.

"This is far too much money," Kagome argued in surprise. "I can't accept all this, Yusuke."

Yusuke looked at her for a moment considering her statement. He looked at the large amount in her hand. "Will it help you out?" he asked watching her thoughtfully. He had no idea how much he'd given her but it was chump change \. Besides it wasn't as though he was lacking in funds, as a lord in the Makai he had funds to spare and Koenma was helpful with getting Makai currency exchanged to human world currency should he run low. Ah it was good to have friends in high places.

Genkai never did anything for without a reason and Kagome probably didn't have any idea how dangerous some of their cases would be. So in that light it was the least he could do.

"Yes-but" she argued awkwardly still holding the money out for him to take.

"Then take it, Kagome" he said simply pushing her hand back towards her.

"Okay, but I will pay it back eventually," Kagome sighed stuffing the handful of bills into her purse pocket before zipping it closed.

"Relax, Kagome think of this as an advance. You aren't in debt to me either. Do you want another bowl of ramen?"

Kagome frowned at the thought of money and sighed. There was likely enough there to replace everything she would be moving anyway except her bow and arrows and the other things from the Feudal Era. Just thinking of the past made her desire to return to the Higurashi shrine nonexistent, and her desire to begin living far from the well far greater. "Would it be too much trouble to move in today? I don't really have much to move and I would rather get to work as soon as possible. It goes against my integrity to get paid for something I haven't earned."

Yusuke shook his head with a smirk; she just wasn't going to let the money thing go. Well he could admire her honesty. "Not at all Kagome; let me clean this up and make a couple phone calls and we will get going."

"I don't want to inconvenience you."

"Relax I said it's not a problem didn't I? I make my own hours and all that and my guys are used to weird requests. It's kind of a part of the job... "Yusuke said dishing himself up another bowl and putting the rest of the ingredients he hadn't used in spill proof containers. "I bring the leftovers home for the others at the temple. They love it! Especially this one kitsune, he adores my ramen."

"Oh?" Kagome asked with a laugh, that sounds like Shippo, but that's highly unlikely and besides it has been five-hundred years for him since he's seen me so he's probably forgotten. Kagome thought sadly.

Cart cleaned, Yusuke pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number before pressing the device to his ear. "Yo, I need a favor, no nothing like that. I hired an assistant and I need help moving furniture and stuff into the temple. Yeah I could but that would be showing off, right? Awesome yeah, grab him too. See you in a few." He snapped the phone closed and leaned his back against the cart resting his elbows on the counter. "Kagome, the guys I called are cool and I trust them with my life but a couple of them kind of like to-"

"Who might you be lovely lady? Would you be my girlfriend?" A young man grabbed her hand and knelt on the ground,

"Moron! I think your wife would have issue with that!" Yusuke snapped irritably. Annoyed that Kuwabara was hitting on his assistant and he hadn't even gotten a hello.

Kagome jerked her hand from the grip of the carrot topped man. He was taller than she expected when he stood up with a sheepish grin. He put his hand behind his head laughing awkwardly. "Not interested," she said at the same instant. Great another Miroku! Ugh. Is that all men can do is flirt and cheat? She gave him a half hearted smile as he introduced himself.

"My name is Kuwabara Kazuma, and I am a mighty warrior."

"In his own head," It was a flat sarcastic remark in a deep voice that practically dripped with distain. Kagome spun to face the owner of the voice and saw crimson eyes sizing her up. He was several inches taller than her height with blue black hair that rose nearly to a point; resembling a black flame. Above his eyes a white starburst rested above an equally white bandana, where Kagome could sense an unfamiliar kind of malevolent energy.

She could see the outline of his muscles through the black shirt he wore. A shiver ran down her spine as she met his eyes and an unfamiliar thrill of desire raced through her veins. He was a youkai and a fighter. The way he stood like he was prepared for anything drew her eyes to the way his arms seemed relaxed but tensed for action. His right hand, what she could see of it was covered in bandages that to the naked eye seemed to cover an injury, but to her eyes and senses he just screamed danger fire and –she swallowed a lump in her throat looking away from his intense gaze –passion.

Hiei was taken aback by the azure eyes on the woman who spun to face him, her silky midnight tresses flowing with the movement gracefully before curling once again enticingly at her hips. Her body was small and almost delicate looking. Her features were fine but she exuded an air of female confidence and sensuality as she moved gracefully. The curve of her lips was hypnotic as she breathed and they parted slightly for the air to pass as she gasped softly. The blue of her eyes seemed to smolder like mesmerizing blue flames before they were hidden by her hair as she looked away. He stared, watching her reactions as heat rushed through him when she looked up through her eyelashes, unknowingly of his reaction to it- the heat burst into full flames of desire.

"You must be the cause for the call, I am Shuichii Minamino." A third male greeted, as he arrived- with a playful look in his verdant eyes. The woman had been staring at Hiei quite intensely and he smirked as she fidgeted nervously with her hair while looking back at Hiei though her thick black eyelashes coyly, 'hmmm so she likes the look of Hiei?' He glanced at Hiei and was surprised to see the carefully guarded interest in his carnelian eyes. Just to bait his friend, Kurama took her hand smoothly pressing a kiss to her knuckles. Something about the spark of energy he felt familiar but he could not remember why.

"Kagome is my new detective's assistant." Yusuke said curtailing any further flirting while putting himself slightly between Kagome and Kurama.

"Urameshi she's a girl you can't have her do stuff like that, it's too dangerous." Kuwabara complained loudly.

"I must agree, I don't think this wise." Kurama said slowly as he looked at Kagome. To his eyes she seemed far too fragile to even consider seeing a battle let alone fighting in one.

"Hey, if you are done with your snap judgments of me, I'd like to get moving. I can take care of myself just fine in any situation thank you." Kagome said as her temper flared and she pushed past Yusuke with a huff. She was hardly that little fifteen year old girl who needed protection. In the year she had lived completely in the past, Kaede and Miroku had trained her to use her abilities to the best of their abilities. No one could say she was a master or even as well trained as Kikyo but she could hold her own in a fight. "Stupid youkai, judging me by looks ugh!" she grumbled.

In hind sight that had probably been the wrong thing to say around youkai she'd just met but it had annoyed her that they were judging her as weak. The short dark youkai suddenly vanished and as two voices called out "Hiei!" one called out her name. Instinct made her power flare, and before the unsheathed sword struck her it struck a shimmering pale lavender barrier.

Crimson eyes widened as his sword was defected unexpectedly. He was headed straight for her barrier with no time even with his speed to avoid it. He braced himself for the collision but before he reached it vanished sending him crashing into her instead, as inertia moved him forward. He landed slightly on top of her as he had managed to shift slightly so he wouldn't crush her, but he had hit his head against hers and raised his hand to his throbbing head as the pain ebbed.

The girl however lay unconscious beneath him. A dark bruise forming just above her eye showed only a small amount of the damage she'd received as her legs and arms were covered with small cuts and scrapes from sliding on the road. Why had the girl dropped her barrier? "Foolish." Hiei scolded her unconscious form. A stinging sensation made him look at his hand where the sword had been knocked away. An angry burn marred his skin. He jumped away out of instinct as the warning surged through his brain: danger!

"Congratulations Detective your new assistant is a Miko." He spat the word with disgust. It was clear the moment that he'd seen the burn that she'd saved him some very nasty purification burns if not his life, and that did not sit well with him in the slightest. He refused to acknowledge that a human girl had that amount of power and more knew how to use it and had not destroyed him with it.

However there was something off about the feeling of her power. It was not lacking any strength but it was not as pure as he remembered a Miko's power should be. In fact it held a tantalizing hint of darkness that seemed to call to him. It was like a sirens call and he found that the desire he'd felt before had not gone cold as he expected but burned hotter. Irritated at the very idea that she could have such an effect his temper spiked.

"So-"Yusuke said dismissively.

"Do you have no intelligence fool? The girl is dangerous. " Hiei growled getting in Yusuke's face. He was angry and annoyed and looking to find a release for his fury he tried to bait Yusuke into a fight.

"Sure I do, but Genkai sent her here." Yusuke said meeting Hiei's glare with his no nonsense gaze while folding his arms. He had changed a lot in five years. Time had made him slightly more level headed and less impulsive. He had acted the fool before but experience was a harsh teacher.

"What?!" the three voices could have been one. Yusuke shook his head as he reached down, and paused as her energy swept over him before receding completely, before he scooped her into his arms. "I'll explain as you drive, Kurama." The kitsune nodded with a frown. This was bound to be interesting.

"I find it surprising and disconcerting that Genkai would send a Miko to you, Yusuke." Kurama stated looking over the young woman carefully. Her injuries were mostly minor except for the bump on her head that worried him a bit. Upon arriving at the temple Yusuke had carried her inside and to one of the rooms still furnished as Genkai had left it. Carefully he laid her on the bed removing her shoes before covering her with a blanket.

Hiei leaned back glaring at the girl as she slept. 'The hell with propriety' he snarled mentally as he opened the Jagan and directed it to the girl's defenseless mind. It gleefully leapt towards her and then paused before shying away from her open thoughts. Trying to force the eye only gave him a headache. 'Fine!' he snarled at the idea that his own Jagan would not breech her thoughts for reasons he couldn't begin to understand. His skin prickled as he felt her power wash over him and had to stop himself from licking his lips as something dark called to him again through it. Glaring at her once more and fighting the desire racing through him he left following after the other two.

She stirred, slowly opening her eyes. Ow my head she thought as she pressed her fingertips to the bruise. She looked around the unfamiliar room and frowned where- Probably at the temple Yusuke had been planning to show her. Great first impression, she thought scathingly. She glanced around and sighed sadly. It was nighttime now and that meant she'd slept the whole day away. Yusuke was probably annoyed and his friends- Oh that youkai, Yusuke's friend did I-kill him? Kagome thought worriedly.

'I live Miko' the voice that slid a crossed her mind was black silk steeped in distain and venom.

Hiei had returned to her room as he could not seem to resist her silent draw of tainted purity. In the depth of the night while everyone slept he'd decided to try once more to search her thoughts. All he could manage was a tiny breach of her mental barriers to communicate. Frustrated he turned anger filled eyes to her.

Kagome frowned, what had she done for the youkai to hate her so intensely? Yusuke didn't seem to mind her neither did that Kurama guy so why did this youkai hate her so much? If it hadn't been for her dropping her barrier, he would be a pile of ashes tossed to the winds. He should be a little grateful considering he attacked her without warning and she was the one who had gotten hurt. What a jerk.

'I would rather be dead than owe you anything, Miko.' He was suddenly in front of her. Her power slid a crossed his skin again and he shivered in dark delight. He hated her for what she was, but he wanted her more. Her power and her body, he wanted to darken her purity further as well as watch the pureness fade into black. He'd never felt such an intense desire in his life. It confused him just as it left him raw and aching. He watched her take a step back willing her to say something that he could use as a reason to step closer or to leave.

"Well I am certain that next time you will think twice before you try anything like that with me. I'm not helpless."

Hiei was on her in an instant pinning her arms above her head with one hand and holding her face still with his other. His mouth crashed over hers and he took her lips in a cruel demanding kiss. Her power stung his lips and his hands but the pain was like a drug as his aura over powered hers. Now that he was aware of the feel of her Seiki it was no longer as large a threat so he forced his kiss upon her till he finally stopped his face inches from hers, till holding her arms. "You are helpless here, Miko; what will you do now?" he taunted darkly.

Kagome had never been treated so roughly, She had never had a kiss forced on her or had her back pressed to a wall with a youkai pressed so intimately against her as this youkai was doing now. She felt weak and helpless and she hated him for making her feel so. She had never hated but one being in her life and he died at the tip of her arrow after a nightmare battle. This hatred came far quicker as she looked at the crimson eyes laughing mockingly at her helplessness like Naraku had. The eyes turned golden in her memory and she felt her bitterness rise like bile. Her blue eyes glazed over as her mind was miles and centuries away. The memory she wished she could forget, came to the forefront of her thoughts and she knew he was watching too.

His skin was warm under her hand as she lay against him enjoying the light sheen of sweat that covered his body from their previous activities for it enhanced his smell to her nose and she breathed him in, His eyes were closed as he drew invisible patterns on her skin with the pads of his fingers. "I love you-"her breath caught in her throat as he murmured words she'd never thought to hear, "-always my Kikyo." Her heart froze as she swallowed thickly fearing to look up into his eyes that she could feel now upon her. Her heart beat was loud in her ears as she rolled over and away from him to avoid looking at his face. Anger and bitterness warred with the pain within her heart.

Hiei observed the memory silently. "Did you enjoy watching my humiliation and my pain?" she demanded hotly. "You probably think I deserved it or something like that, you think I am weak and pathetic but I won't give you the satisfaction of seeing me break down and cry. I won't give him those tears either."Why can't I just forget all that happened? Why do I still feel Inuyasha's touches and the heat of his skin, it sickens me! I want to forget it ever happened. Kagome thought as bitterness threatened to drown her. A darkness she couldn't place drifted through her sending with it a wave of desire as the way he was pressed against her pushed aside all other thoughts.

Listening to her thoughts Hiei knew she would not refuse him. He could offer her a reprieve from her torment and he fully planned on doing so. His presence surrounded her and he pressed her back against the wall his mouth coming back down on hers with a fiery passion that burned away her thoughts pushing everything out of her mind and consuming reason and right and wrong. Nothing but that moment mattered and she gave in willingly casting all her emotions into the passionate flames that rushed through her veins like a wild fire. The heat of his hands branded her skin as he took what he desired at first sight and taste of her tainted purity. He drove her passions beyond her known limits freeing the carnal desires sleeping within the self controlled woman and discovered a wild untamed passion that made his world turn white.

Kagome felt the light of the sun warming her eyelids as she stirred. Slowly she came to realize she was tender in places she was unaccustomed to and her muscles ached uncomfortably as she shifted and began to sit up. The sheet slid a crossed bare skin and the events the night before came rushing back. Without the passion to dull her inhibitions; shame, guilt and disgust with her behavior slammed through her full force and she was grateful to be alone as she covered her face in mortification, she had slept with Yusuke's friend her first night there and worse didn't even know his name. He probably thought she was a shameless woman after what had happened between them.

She frowned at herself was this what she had become? Had she fallen so low she would willingly jump into bed with any sexy cold youkai, to forget her pain? That she, once pure, would use an un-named youkai for her own purposes made her sick. Yusuke had trusted her and how had she repaid him? By sleeping with his friend, how low could she get!? He'd touched that memory, the one she wished she could forget and she had thrown herself at him to forget. It had been so wrong; they weren't even friends and not even on friendly terms with each other at all. In fact she was almost certain that he hated her.

Looking down at her body she noticed a few discolored spots on her skin where obviously he'd bitten her during their encounter. She felt a brief feeling of panic before sensing no jyaki in the bites. He hadn't marked her. But- Fantastic! I hope my clothes cover those or there might be some painful questions…argh that was so- so completely stupid of me! I thought I had more sense than that! She thought angrily as she climbed out of the bed and snatched up her clothes that had been scattered everywhere.

Spotting a door inside the room next to the closet she cautiously opened it and found a bathroom, complete with a shower. After folding her clothes neatly she turned on the water as hot as she could stand and climbed in. She could still feel phantom touches from his hot hands and she scrubbed her skin a bit rougher than necessary hissing when she'd hit a scrape from their collision the day before. She turned and let the hot water pound her back wincing at a particularly sensitive spot.

With a sigh she turned off the water and climbed out pulling a towel from a shelf where it had been folded. Drying herself off and dressing, Kagome kept her mind carefully away from thoughts of the night before. After straightening the bathroom and the bedroom as much as possible; Kagome went in search of her Boss, Yusuke.

Claret eyes watched her every move from where he sat in a tree outside her window. He smirked as she limped a little when she gingerly walked around the room gathering her clothes. Her slightly tanned skin littered with the marks he'd left on it filled him with unholy satisfaction. As she bent to retrieve her shirt her hair slid over her shoulder and his eyes narrowed as realized what watching her was doing to his body. Her power was beckoning him like a siren's song and damn him if it wasn't working. Under his breath he uttered a curse, which would make a sailor's ears bleed, before he left the tree and the woman behind. Though he ran as fast as he was able; dodging through the tops of trees, he could not clear his thoughts of the memory of how her skin had felt against his.