A/N: Hey everyone! It's Burning Artist again with a new Ficcy! and this time I have help from my fabulous little sister Stephanie to help me with funny story ideas. It seems that I'm not humorous enough on my own to make a comedy fan fiction! While she's feeding me good punch lines, I'm doing my best to write everything else! :P

P.S: Thanks Jessica for lending me Akuma. I'll make good use of him! Hehehehe…..

Disclaimer: All Original Character belong to the fabulous Rumiko Takahashi! 'Akuma Higurashi' belongs to Jessica Cienfuegos and 'Shinja' to Stephanie Figueroa.

All other characters belong to me, Burning Artist.

Chapter

"Akuma"

The night invaded the sky as I stared. He was looking at me with those beautiful golden eyes and without words I knew what he was thinking. He had said this before and in my heart, I knew that those words would echo into reality. "I owe her my life," After all we shared and all we had done, I somehow knew that it would end this way. She was his first love and though her soul was inside me, though her soul was part of mine, I understood that he needed to lay rest to that part of himself along with her. Through all the pain and the suffering, through all the nightmarish visions that would arise and face us in the land of the awoken, it was time to face the dreamless sleep.

We had shared something special before it all came to pass. It was more then enough proof to confirm that his feelings were the same as mine. I knew he loved me. I knew that part of him wanted desperately to be with me but what kind of life could I live with him? Bringing him back to my time seemed unlikely, and I living in this land inked in my history books was absurd. However, another confrontation would crumble these theoretical thoughts.

After the sacred jewel had been recovered and its fragments finally restored into its whole, there was but one way to finally bring an end to the madness and thirst for power that the demons of this land had sought since its creation. The jewel needed to be completely purified and encased by 4 powerful souls. It was with complete astonishment that I found myself indebted to that other part of me that he had made his promises to.

"I will seal the power of the jewel" she said so fearlessly, a woman of such strength that I only dream to grow into. "This is the only way I know how to repay you Kagome," she told me without a trace of hate left in her voice.

Things had changed between Kikkyou and I. Always rivaled in intentions; it was difficult for us to ever see any common ground, save one… However, after defeating Naraku and finally bringing an end to so much suffering, I saw her there, still slave to her hate and I felt a great empathy. I could not let her suffer when everyone rejoiced. Her only wish was to kill the one I loved and Kikkyou's heart was so tainted that nothing else could be felt. It needed to be done, and so I lent my soul to Kikkyou…

I remember nothing of those moments that passed. All I knew what that something felt wonderful, resolved, clean… and when I awoke and re-entered my body, I saw her fall to her knees, human tears rolling down her cheeks. How can a body of clay and bones shed such honest tears? And there he sat beside her, arms wrapped around her cold body, tearing with equal emotion. As I rose to meet with them she looked at me and smiled. Something had changed inside her and that once pure hatred had become love and kindness. She begged me to sit beside her and I obeyed without hesitation. She held my face in her hand and whispered her fears and her thanks. She said: "I understand now. I know why I had only received the hate from your soul Kagome. It was because hate, was the only part of you that you wished to expel. And now, allowing me to borrow your soul again, I embraced that overwhelming love that you possess… that we both possess," and then she turned to him. His eyes shimmered so brilliantly because of the wetness that had lingered there. I knew then, that something had happened, that a resolution was made. And although my inkling of loss did seem present, somehow, it felt right.

And so she volunteered to replace me and seal the jewel along with my friends. Both Sango and Miroku felt the need to take part in the purification. The defeat of Naraku was too late made and Miroku's plague had grown too wide. He knew that the curse would eventually consume his body. Sango could not bear to let Miroku die by the blight of his void. She had lost so many before him and she was not ready to leave her priest this way. She held his hand, his eyes became honest and without words, I knew they had formed a bond. Sango would follow Miroku wherever he would go, including into eternity.

He looked at me again, and held me tightly. "Kagome, you have to live on," he said. How I loved the sound of my name on his lips. "I owe her my life," I understood. The end was finally here and he'd chosen to go with her. There was no doubt in my mind that it was what needed to be done. All the confliction in his heart would vanish and I no longer had doubts about his feelings. This was the only way for everyone to have peace. So it started. As I watched from a distance, the little fox demon Shippou at my side, I saw them gather around the sacred Shikon jewel. They closed their eyes and allowed themselves to be taken by its power, Miroku and Kikkyou leading the ritual. However, before they vanished he had looked my way and whispered: "We'll meet again," Suddenly, all four were drawn into the sacred jewel, a great light spreading further until it dissipated and all were gone with exception of my dear one's sword. I moved in closer and grabbed the sheath. I held it tightly and began to cry. This sword was the one he had always protected me with, it was a symbol of him and I looked around and truly realized that he was no longer with us. I stood and went to Kaede, holding the sword Tessaiga in my hands, the wise old priestess told to keep it in his memory. However, I didn't need this sword to remember you by Inuyasha; you would easily remain my thoughts for the next 15 years…

As the sunlight hit one of the shrine windows, the wind began to blow softly. Kagome Higurashi was outside and closed her eyes serenely as her hair flew playfully with the new summer breezes. It would soon be summer vacation, time for a bit of rest and relaxation. If only it would come sooner. This way, she wouldn't have to receive such a disquieting telephone call.

"What? So there's no other way? Yes, yes I'll tell him," she said as she hung up and began to walk to her old room.

Inside lay a boy; arms tossed every which way, black hair messed by slumber's embrace, and pillows and covers on the floor and under his fourteen year old head. Kagome stepped carefully around the jumble of clothes and things scattered all over the floor to reach her destination. Once beside the young boy, she cleared her throat.

"Akuma!"

"Ah! What? What? What's going on?" he sprang, confused and bewildered.

"First of all, you have school soon. Second of all –"

"Oh, is that all? Geese mom, you didn't have to scare me half to death! I'm getting up!" he said grumpily and stepped out of his bed.

The young boy, staggeringly walked out of the room and into the bathroom, eyes half open he stared at his reflection in the mirror. After splashing cold water on his face, his eyes widened more to properly see their golden gleam. With a yawn and a bit of stretching, young Akuma got himself dressed and met with his mother in the kitchen.

"Akuma, there was something I wanted to talk to you about," she said hoping that her voice registered in his mind.

"Hmm? What is it mom?"

"Well, frankly I'm worried about your grades,"

"My grades? But you know I'm going fine in everything mom. Math, Science, History, you know I've gotten all top grades for those," he said counting the latter on his fingers.

"I'm talking about gym class,"

At this Akuma grinned uncomfortably. Sure he wasn't exactly weak or anything, but he just didn't like sports that way; pure and simple. The only thing he could do very well was run and boy could he run! His speed however, was something that he only kept to himself. When it came down to any sort of gymnastics, climbing, kendo or other sports, there were always complications that occurred. For example: the last time that he had to climb the rope he twisted his ankle and sat out the class, when he had to play baseball he would swing too hard and dislocate his arm. There was just no denying it in Akuma's mind: he wasn't very athletic.

"Well – err – now come on mom, don't you trust me to pass that? I mean, it's only gym class," he smiled the purest smile he could muster.

"Only gym class huh? Then why was I called by your teacher this morning to remind you that today's the only day when you can take the make up test?"

"WHAT? TODAY?"

"That's right so you better start mentally preparing yourself for this one. Akimoto-sensei isn't too happy with your performance,"

"But… but –"

"No buts, you better get going. There are only about twenty-five minutes until it's time for classes," she said placing Akuma's lunch on the table.

With great speed he finished his meal and set off to school. He knew that twenty-five minutes was far more then enough time to get there, especially if he ran. So with a quick dash he made it to the building, a full fifteen minutes to spare. Akuma sighed heavily. He hated gym class and everyone in his grade knew it. After that embarrassing event during a particular class, it was very hard to enjoy that period in the day. The teacher had decided to give everyone a crash course in Kendo fighting (fencing). Akuma was the last one to receive his protective gear that morning and had the misfortune to receive one that was too large for him. He tried to maneuver as well as he could with it but the weight easily unbalanced him. Finally, it was down to Akimoto-sensei giving out the boy some final pointers because of the obvious lack in talent. However, since the gear was too large, the straps were too loose from underneath and the mask had swung around his head as he tried to move. The results: Akuma swinging his wooden sword directly at the teacher's… well, it can be easily said that young Akuma Higurashi was no longer in the teacher's good graces.

"Hey Akuma!" called out a voice from behind him.

Accompanied by the voice were two of his good friends: Akito Kazuma and Yuki Sanzenin. The voice that called him out moved in closer and soon young Eichiro Mizuno was in plain view. Akuma had been friends with those three boys since elementary school, they were inseparable. Akuma was easily the most noticeable of them all physically, with his gleaming golden color eyes and slightly darker complexion. However, Eichiro had a way of making people turn around and notice him. Always handsome, smiling and vocal about whatever was on his mind he had his own particular glow shining from his eyes.

"What are you doing here so early? Usually you arrive at the last second,"

"Hi Eichiro, no I decided better today. I've got to think up a way to get out of this gym problem,"

"Problem?" said Akito grinning maliciously.

"Don't give me that look Kazuma, you know what I mean," said Akuma rhetorically.

Akito was something special in his own way. He was the prankster and wanted nothing more then to have Akuma's name. Akuma, meaning devil, demon or evil spirit, was the very reason why he spoke to him in the first place. Akuma always wondered why his mother had cursed him with such a strange name. Didn't she realize that most people would just laugh at the sound of it? Well, the only good it did was introducing him to Akito, who by then was already friends with Eichiro and Yuki.

Yuki stood silently looking at his friends. He was easily Akito's opposite. The silent warrior was his nickname and Yuki, like Akuma, was also a shrine child. Their big difference however, was that his talent in sword play was easily superior to Akuma's. He never spoke much but having been friends for so long, they could often know what he was thinking.

"I know that look Yuki… You want me to go through it don't you?"

"Listen, it's not like you're totally inept," said Yuki seriously.

"Yeah, just unlucky! Why don't you try to strike a deal with the teacher?" suggested Akito.

"A deal?"

"Right! There must be something you can do decently isn't there?" encouraged Eichiro putting his hands behind his head leisurely.

"Well, yeah…"

"Then that's your plan! Challenge the teacher! Tell him that if you can perform really well in something, that you'll get a passing grade for the total of all the events!" said Akito excitedly.

"You two sure are optimistic. You really believe that Akimoto-sensei is actually going to let me get away with that?"

"No. But it's worth a shot!" they said enthusiastically, both a grin on their faces.

"What is?" rang the sound of a pretty voice.

Akuma turned his head and saw a pretty girl with long dark hair jog steadily towards them. Her eyes gleamed playfully in the sunlight and Akuma felt himself light up by her gaze. Megumi Shindou was by far the most popular girl in school. She was athletic, intelligent, and beautiful and for some reason… fixated on Akuma!

"Ah! Megumi-san! Always a pleasure," said Eichiro passing a hand through his hair.

"So, what's worth a shot? I heard you guys talking before," she huffed slightly.

"What do you think Shindou-san? You know like I do that it will take a miracle for this lame-brain to pass gym so we proposed something to him," grinned Akito.

"Oh? Like what?" she asked intrigued.

"You can be so nosey sometimes," murmured Yuki.

At the sound of Yuki's tone Megumi's nose scrunched up irritably. She simply shrugged off the remark as the bell for class finally rang. She looked at the building then right at Akuma, trying to ignore Yuki as much as possible.

"I better hurry. I have to meet the track team to organize when we meet for practice. I hope everything works out for your sake Higurashi-kun," she said sweetly as she dashed off.

"Bye! Don't be a stranger!" called Eichiro but the girl didn't even turn around.

"I can't understand for the life of me why she likes you so much! What's so special about you?" asked Akito slightly jealous.

"I guess it's my animal magnetism," said Akuma with a sneer as they went inside.

The day progressed normally and Akuma was busy being the brain he always was: answering questions, being called up to the boards to solve equations and generally getting back exams that brought most of his friends to shame. He couldn't help it really, and being as book smart as he was, there were always people asking for his help, especially Yuki and Akito. Eichiro could easily hold his own and there was no doubt from the students that he would become the next class president regardless of Akuma's grades toping his only slightly. However, the golden eyed boy liked it that way. It gave him less things to worry about and he never had the same kind of charisma that Eichiro had. Considering how incredibly lazy Akuma was, less responsibility was definitely a good thing. After going through the day it was finally time for gym class. Akuma took a deep breath as he exited the boys changing room. There, standing sentient by the doors to the outside area were Akito, Eichiro and Yuki all giving him an anxious glance.

"So, what do you plan to do? Did you think of something?" asked Akito.

"Nothing yet but I thought about what you guys said as a challenge. It sounds like a good beginning. I mean we know that Akimoto would never turn one down," contemplated Akuma.

"Well, better think of something fast then, because it's time to go. We have the bars today. And I don't know how he's going to schedule your test. Probably be right in front of everyone," said Eichiro in his blue gym shorts as a few girls giggled past and went towards the other end on the field.

Akuma's eyes followed the girls and saw them head towards the race track. It looked like they were going to be running today. Akuma sighed. Why couldn't it be running? He would be able to do that fairly well at least. It was then that it struck him! Of course!! With an evil grin, he followed the rest of the boys after making a quick glance to see Megumi starting off her first race.

"NOW EVERYONE, listen up! We will be doing the horizontal bars today. This will demonstrate your dexterity AND limberness! I want you trying you hardest!" began Akimoto, shouting like a general towards his troops.

"Here he goes again," muttered Akito.

"I hope he'll let us have a water break this time," Eichiro whispered back as he turned to look at Akuma; however the look on the boy's face was alarmingly frightful!

Akuma's face was imprinted with a fiercely evil grin and Eichiro could make no other reaction then stumble backwards from the determined energy in Akuma's eyes. It was almost as if he was emanating a fiery aura of… victory?

"What's wrong with you Mizuno?" called the teacher.

"N – nothing sir!"

"Huh?" said Akimoto looking at the bizarre stare coming from Akuma. "Ah, so you are causing this? So Higurashi, are you THAT ready to take my test?" he smirked.

Everyone stared at his direction but the boy could do nothing but grin, then that grin would turn into a chuckle and soon the chuckle became a fit of laughter! Even, Yuki was stirred by the alarming confidence of Akuma! The boy then, spoke out completely courageously, like his evil alter ego had just awoken!

"That's right I am!!! However Akimoto-sensei, I just have one question for you!! Would you be willing to accept MY challenge?" he shouted, dangerously pointing his finger at the teacher.

"Challenge?" he said lifting an eyebrow as the boys all looked completely petrified.

"That's right!! Instead of taking my test at the bars would YOU be BRAVE enough to accept MY challenge by passing my test on the racetrack!!!!!" he said stiffly, pointing his finger at the field.

There was a still calm among everyone as the boys gazed from Akuma to Akimoto in complete suspense. It was then that the teacher looked into the young boy's eyes and took a deep breath…

"Are you completely insane Higurashi?! Now stop acting like a moron and go to the bars! Now!"

"Wha -?"

"You heard me! Now go! I can't grade you for the term with one event! Now stop whining and get to those bars!"

Akuma squeaked with surprise and staggeringly dragged himself towards the horizontal bars. The boys were still completely silent in disbelief of what they had just seen. "Poor Akuma," they thought. Especially after he twisted his arm and fell on his foot after trying to simply mount them.

NOTICE:: I have a new trend going on with this story now! Reviewing a chapter means getting a picture of the characters and scenes to help everyone visualize them!

For Chapter 1, we'll have the ink drawing of Eichiro Mizuno! And I'll be sending it to all those who have reviewed in the past for Chapter 1 as well!

NOTE: If you review chapter 2, I will NOT send you the picture for chapter 1! Every chapter has its image!