Disclaimer for the entire story: I, Kittey Rin, take absolutely no credit for any of the characters, places, people, objects, concpets, words made up or otherwise, quotes, animals, demons, priestesses, bad guys, critters, songs, books, scenes, patented ideas or already-developed products that are usedin this story outside of the plot, Kurama's apartement and a few origional characters. I should also point out that any of the scenes that I describe, or any of the OC's, are completely coincidental if they match anything a reader has seen (or met, if that be the case). It's just my imagionation and a sense of style coming to the fore.
A/N: Well, a lot of you asked for a sequal, so here it is! Get ready folks, I'm not done tormenting Kagome and Kurama yet!
I had someone comment that I had resolved everything...that's what you think. I specifically left two things hanging so that I could write this, and now I get to tell you what I left! ...On second though, I'll leave you to find out for yourself. Now, besides, that, I just have one more thing I'm curious about. How many of my old readers are going to read this?Well, enough of my rambling; I hope that you enjoy my newest addition to the ACE family.
Oh, and I should probably tell you...If this story stinks, as in I have people tell me they hate it or that I get nobody to review (or not a lot), then I'm going to take it down and just say that ACE was completely resolved. Just a heads up.
Birds sang out into the air as squirrels battled for possession of the best acorns. Spring was unfolding in all its glory. Flowers were blooming, trees were shaking off their winter slumber, and everywhere people could tell that the season of rebirth was making its way in the world. Creatures of all shapes and sizes were regaling the world with their tales of winter, tales collected in the harshest season to be told to their young after birth.
Children were out romping, screaming with joy and laughing with all their hearts as they chased each other around the neighborhood. On one such block, a large apartment building loomed over the entire scene. Windows were thrown open to tempt a non-existent breeze to enter the room and cool down its occupants.
Outside of this building, a red-headed man stood with his arms crossed. He watched with amusement as the children played with each other in a very vicious-seeming manner. One had only to look at them to see that they were having the time of their lives. The man, known to most as Suuichi Minamino and to others as Kurama, looked up as he heard his name being called.
"Kurama! Over here!" A young brunette waved her hand frantically over her head. She was accompanied by a young boy in a wheel chair, the child using all his strength to propel himself towards the lounging adult.
Kurama smiled as his girlfriend, Kagome, walked up to him. Pulling her into an embrace, he smiled. "I missed you," he told her. "What took you so long?" He addressed the question to the paralyzed boy, a young fox demon known as Shippo.
Kagome pulled back and rolled her eyes. "Come on, I wasn't gone that long. Only ten minutes! Besides, Shippo was doing so well that I just couldn't pull him away!" She moved to stand behind her foster son.
The boy in question held up both a fist, making a thumbs-up. "I did better than everyone else, including Kata!" He was glowing with pride, coming so far in such a short time.
It was little over a year since Shippo had gone through an ordeal where he not only matured beyond his age, but also became paralyzed. There were times where Kagome could still see the events of those three days haunting his eyes.
They had finished the investigation into Naraku Densetsu and court had ruled that all of his assets, which were incredibly extensive, were to be split between Kagome and Shippo to be used as they saw fit. Because of this, and the things that both Kagome and Shippo had gone through, both were able to live comfortably with minimal fuss.
Kurama had been a silent helping hand through Kagome's kidnapping in the form of a small, silver fox. Having been in the cursed form and living with Kagome for just under four months, Kurama had tracked down the young woman and made sure she got out of the warehouse safe and in one piece. Kagome was increasingly grateful for everything he had done, even if she sometimes lost her temper over his other half.
Kurama shared two souls in his body. One was the human half, Suuichi Minnamino, and the form he wore most. The other was the Great Fox Thief Youko Kurama, one of the most notorious and most feared criminal in all of demon realm.
Kagome could occasionally talk him into switching forms. She loved his ears and tail, and whenever she saw them, she just couldn't help but squeal. She loved rubbing Kurama's fox ears, and his tail was so soft it made silk seem like sandstone.
Kurama broke Kagome from her reverie, clearing his throat. "Don't you have some other errands to run?" he asked. "I do believe you were going to pull a surprise today..."
Kagome smiled. "Of course I am. I could never forget about that, especially when today is so special." She smiled and glanced at Shippo.
The young fox was practically bouncing in his chair. It was his birthday, and Kagome had promised him a surprise. "What are you doing? What do I get?" He turned puppy eyes onto the two adults and caused them to laugh. Any time he wanted something he pulled 'The Eyes' on them, and it usually worked.
"Not this time, buddy." Kurama shook his head. "Come on, let's leave Kagome to go get your surprise. Besides, you have homework to do." Shippo pouted, reluctantly conceding to Kurama's silent command and making his way up the apartment ramp.
Kagome placed a small kiss on Kurama's cheek before backing up. Kurama nearly pouted himself. "I'll be back in a while." She smiled and turned around, walking back the way she had come.
Kurama stood there, watching until she disappeared. I can't believe I miss her after so short a time, he thought.
Suuichi's other soul, Youko Kurama, roused from his not-quite-sleeping nap. It's only natural, especially when we foxes find one perfect mate and settle down with her- or him- for the rest of our lives. You ought to know that.
Suuichi nodded. I know, and I'm beginning to see why. He smirked. Going to miss all those one-night stands, hm?
Youko scoffed. Never. I would never leave a woman hanging, waiting for me to return to their open arms in the hopes that they're the one.
Suuichi made a slight sound of disbelief. Youko ignored it, returning to spacing out in the back of his mind.
Shippo knocked on the window of the entryway. Kurama turned to him, and the other fox waved frantically for his idol to join him. Kurama nodded and picked his way across the toy-strewn apartment lawn to him and, together, they made their way to their home.
Kagome walked down an empty street, the shadow stretching towards her to grab her by the throat. There was no life in the area other than herself. No birds called, no squirrel boxing, not even a budding flower stood at either side of the lane. Soon, there would be an ax murderer coming after her, swinging his blade madly and cawing out his battle cry...
Stop that! Kagome told herself. There's nothing there but your imagination. You ought to be put in an asylum for thinking things like that!
Tightening her hand on the bag containing Shippo's gift, she lifted her chin and stalked forward.
She was about halfway down the street when something brushed her senses. Being a miko had its advantages, especially when keeping an eye out. After training with Genkai (although she was nowhere near finished), Kagome could extend her abilities to sense things and know when someone- or something- was watching her. It also worked well as an offensive tool, as she could shock some sense into humans. Demons, on the other hand, tended to get burned.
There was definitely someone following her. Kagome turned around, saying "I know your there, you can come out now." She continued to look about her, using all of her senses to stay aware.
A dry chuckle echoed through the boulevard. Kagome shivered as it reminded her of her old boss, Toguro, who had had a hand in her and Shippo's kidnapping.
A voice began to speak. "Oh, my dear, you're all alone." Kagome was unable to pinpoint where the speaker was located. "All alone, the girl of Youko Kurama, in a dark street, without a protector...it makes me tremble with excitement at the possibilities." Kagome tried to ignore the woman- for the person was definitely female, if an elderly one- and her words. "You're the one who broke my spell on that son of a bitch whole stole my life from me." Kagome knew she was lying; the curse on Kurama had worn out, Genkai had proven that. "You know, it's not very nice to ruin someone's work."
Kagome kept her voice steady as she answered. "You know, it's also not nice to stalk people. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a previous engagement." She turned back in the direction of her home and began to walk as fast as she possibly could.
"Oh no, dearie, we can't let you leave yet. Oh, no, no, no."
Kagome broke into a run. Her instincts were telling her to run, and so run she did. A whisper of air warned her to dodge as a beam of light sped past her.
She didn't see the second beam that shot straight at her, catching her in the small of her back and propelling her into a crumbling wall. She had just enough strength to turn around before all of her energy left her.
Her eyes blurred. Her limbs began to groan, painfully grating together. Kagome could swear her limbs were crumbling to dust, her muscles burning with a fire so intense it must have come up from the depths of hell itself. She began to thrash around. She didn't even realize she had the energy to do so. The world, or what she could see of it, began to become larger and larger. Everything was aching, everything was on fire, she was dying a slow and painful death...
Everything stopped so abruptly that Kagome's body couldn't handle it. Just as she was drifting into blissful oblivion, she caught a slight glimpse of the pale white hair and dark outfit of the voice. Cackling filled her ears, and she slipped into darkness.
Kagome groaned and shook her head. Sitting up carefully, she looked about her. It was morning already, but there were still no people on the street. The entire scene was as abandoned as a ghost town.
Her memory came flooding into her mind, and Kagome began to panic slightly. The world hadn't changed, it was still incredibly large. Growling, Kagome screamed "That ass shrunk me!"
Getting to her feet, Kagome hissed with pain. She still ached all over. Nothing had changed there, and that was all the proof she needed to know that this wasn't a dream. Looking about her, Kagome spotted a large puddle across the street. The water had probably come from the rain the other night, but Kagome knew she could use it as a mirror.
Padding over to it, she took a breath and glanced into the liquid. A curious face peered back at her, which quickly turned to a started yowl. Leaping back, Kagome stumbled over her feet and fell on her face.
Looking down at herself, she was greeted with black fur. She had indeed tripped over her feet; all four of them. She ran to the puddle again, hoping, pleading that the reflection had changed. No such luck.
Her entire face was covered in short fur as black as her hair had been. Small, pointed ears were ramrod straight with shock, as was her long tail. Deep brown eyes were slitted as her feline nose and whiskers twitched with disbelief.
Her only thoughts were Oh shit, she turned me into a cat, she turned me into a cat, holy hell, I'm a cat! Kagome screamed. It didn't help that, listening to her own voice, she heard a loud meow creep from her throat. Backpedaling as fast as possible, Kagome turned around and ran towards her home.
Her thoughts immediately turned to figuring out how she was going to explain this to both foxes at home, and how she was going to get in there in the first place.
End Chapter
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