Breaking Point

by Sunsetfireice82

Between friendship and love there comes a moment of truth. How will a friendship that has lasted through battles and war handle the addition of a special Miko, who desperately needs some TLC? One thing is for sure; nothing will ever be the same! MxM, MxFxM

1. Chapter 1

Disclaimer: I do not own the Characters! Except a few of my own; no spoilers... ;)

"Friendship is constant in all things save in the office and affairs of love."- William Shakespeare

Between friendship and love there comes a moment of truth.

Breaking Point

Chapter 1

Petty thievery was the strange foundation on which their friendship began. He was the Spirit Detective to bring them to Justice or rather parole, and they were the ones who learned, that the new Spirit Detective was nothing like they expected. The start was rocky, but Yuusuke Urameshi (a human who had died unexpectedly and was revived with powers) was the type of guy that both Kurama, (a centuries old kitsune bandit who had been reborn in the body of a human) and Hiei (a fire elemental with Koorime blood), quickly learned saw the good in them and never once treated them like criminals. He treated them like friends from their first mission to now. And trust just followed.

After many missions where they all put their lives on the line,Yuusuke died again for the cause only to be revived as a Toushin (a youkai with extreme strength and agility known as a battle god in the Makai). Now the three (youkai) Spirit Detectives of the Reikai or at least that's what they had been called before they were fired, were bonded almost in brotherhood. Their friendship endured war and battles growing all the stronger for the hardships, after all, time was nothing to them now, they had eons of it. Even pitted against one another their friendship never wavered. It seemed that even "love" could not break apart the trio as Yuusuke was now finding out.

He leaned his head back against the hard wooden bench and closed his eyes. Rain poured in steady rivulets down his face washing away any tears he shed. His dark hair was soaked and glossy in the half light of the storm and the setting sun. He looked up at the dark grey sky of the human world, his sable eyes fixed on details no human could see. This world was beautiful and empty. His mind wandered, he could remember everything in stark detail. The shade of her eyes, the curve of her lips, the hateful words that had ripped his heart to pieces. And his breaking point, her demand for him to leave his friends behind, her demand for him to be normal.

The date started typically with no signs of a pending fight, but their whole relationship had been on eggshells for the past several weeks. He and Keiko had been friends since childhood and as a human he had loved her. Since his last mission in Mushiori City and his return from the Makai three years prior, any time he mentioned his work or his friends, Keiko would button up tighter than a clam, with a scowl, she hated anything that reminded her that her life was not average. If Yuusuke kept his mouth shut she would complain that he was being angry and moody. Today had been Keiko's first day off of work in ten days and Yuusuke thought to surprise her with a full day of fun activities that he knew she loved. Arriving on her doorstep at seven o'clock that morning Yuusuke took her to her favorite breakfast diner and presented her with tickets to the most popular amusement park in Tokyo also the most expensive. The money was the one perk that Keiko never complained about, because of Yuusuke's youkai heritage.

When he awoke as a Toushin he had come to learn that he was the ancestral son of one of the kings in the Makai, Raizen. When Raizen died of starvation two years later Yuusuke would have been made king in his place but not wanting that sort of responsibility, he instead changed the whole governing system of the Makai. Now the king was decided by a tournament held every three years and because the first king was a close friend of his late "Father" Yuusuke was given his lands as a Lordship or a lesser kingship. Either way Yuusuke was financially set for his life time, however many centuries that would be. The problem came with exchanging Makai currency for human world dollars, and that he left to the new King of the Reikai and his former boss Koenma. Since the exchange was not simple, Yuusuke did odd jobs for Koenma on top of running a Ramen noodle stand as a cover for his freelance Spirit Detective work. Keiko hated that too.

Entering the park after the short train ride they looked around looking for one to ride that wouldn't make Keiko sick. She was never an adrenaline junkie like Yuusuke, but she still liked a good roller coaster providing it was mild. Picking and riding all the milder ones Yuusuke looked longingly at some of the more complicated thrill rides. After several hours, he even had his nose in the park pamphlet and was reading the description of these rides out loud. "Ho, check this one out Keiko! Three full loops and a double corkscrew while hanging on for dear life the whole time! You don't even sit in a car! You're strapped in a seating harness. Hey, wouldn't it be funny if Hiei tried it and he squealed like a little girl?" he asked without even thinking. He laughed at his own joke and then glanced at Keiko realizing too late his mistake.

"I fail to see how you can possibly think, I would find that funny." She huffed sarcastically folding her arms tightly across her chest. She looked like she had just eaten a lemon with the sour expression on her face. She turned and walked towards the ride they had been heading to, a calm boat ride through a fake jungle.

"Kurama would have laughed." Yuusuke muttered to himself following behind her. Keiko's back went ramrod straight. The good mood of their date died instantly as Keiko turned on her heel and walked towards the exit of the park. Yuusuke followed after her dreading the ride home, he needn't have worried. After they got a suitable distance away from the crowds Keiko ripped into him.

"Kurama this and Hiei that! I don't care about what Hiei's reaction to a roller coaster would be or whether Kurama would laugh at him with you! Why can't you be a normal human when we are together? We never talk about human things like jobs, or where to go on vacation. Even talking about the weather, would be better than having to hear you constantly talk about your demonic life." She finished scathingly. " You know I hate that!"

Yuusuke felt his blood start to boil. Keiko always did this to him! She would nit-pick about the things in his life that he had no control over. Sure he could stop being friends with Hiei and Kurama, but the root of her problem was with him because he was no longer human. When Yuusuke remained stubbornly silent trying to not let his temper get the better of him Keiko continued with her tirade.

"We could walk away from this life of yours Yuusuke. You could quit being a Spirit Detective and Koenma could give you something to erase your memories and then we could get married. We could adopt human children who need a good home. Your old life would never bother us again, if you no longer remember it. You could stop being a fighter and get a real job. You could be normal if you would only let yourself try. You don't have to be a demon."

At this Yuusuke's self-control finally exploded. Everything that he had held back for the past several weeks flooded out of his mouth. He couldn't have stopped it had he wanted to. His fists clenched at his side knuckles white he gritted his teeth to keep from yelling. "I have done everything you asked me to do, Yukimura! I am a youkai king, but enrolled in a human high school and graduated two years ago because you asked me to. Don't you realize how embarrassing it was for me to be a "human" student who was 4 years older than all the others? I endured their human mockery for you because I wanted you to be happy, but even I can't change my blood. I am not normal Keiko! Being a Youkai is part of my D.N.A. I can't change that no matter how much you wish me to! I can't erase it and I can't forget it! I can't stop fighting to protect you, because I love you. If I were to stop fighting, you and our children would be the first ones to suffer. I have enemies Keiko don't you remember the times you were targeted? I fought for you" his voice softened as he calming down somewhat pulled her into an embrace even though she tried to fight him. He spoke quietly in her ear one arm holding her close, one hand resting above her stomach.

"I want to marry you and I want you to bear my children, our children. I want to swell with pride as our children grow inside of you and have the best of everything that we can offer them together, Keiko." Keiko ripped herself away from him and landed him with one of her famous punches. Except as a youkai her punch did nothing more than likely break her hand.

She looked down her nose at him with hate and disgust rolling off of her in waves. As she clutched her hand to her chest she snarled,"you want me to spawn your demonic offspring?! That's rich! As if I would ever allow myself to become pregnant with a demon baby. I would sooner abort the thing than give birth to it! It has become quite clear to me today I am only deluding myself. Who would stoop so low as to marry a piece of trash like you? Yuusuke Urameshi we are through! Don't ever speak to me again you worthless demon scum!" Turning on her heel she stormed away, leaving Yuusuke standing alone at the edge of the amusement park. The cacophony of laughter and bright music did nothing to alleviate the dark mood and shock that settled on him like a shroud. He was not aware of his knees hitting the concrete and leaving two indents in the stone as he dropped. A few startled girls shrieked in shock and ran from him, but he ignored them. He'd lost her. It was over.

Yuusuke blinked as he fought to keep his tears from falling, his eyes red and burning with the effort. As though to mock him the clouds above him ripped open to pour out their contents in a torrent. Now he was miserable, hurt and on top of that soaked. He did not even bother getting up from the ground. Yet, her ending their relationship had not hurt him nearly as much as her rejection of who he was. Everything he had endured for her meant nothing and it didn't hurt as much as he thought it should have. Keiko had been everything to him hadn't she? He frowned at his thoughts.

He had fought for her life in the dark tournament and he had returned from the Makai for her as he promised, but something had changed when he was gone. His human reasons for loving her had faded, as the first Makai tournament had reached its conclusion and he had come to terms with being Youkai. Perhaps it was that he had become more youkai and less human during the three years he was gone. Living in the crimson skied world of the youkai he had never felt more himself and at home. He could run at speeds athletes here could only dream of and he never had to concentrate on walking gently enough to not leave craters.

This human world was too fragile. Keiko was too fragile. He could never even think of taking her in to his world to show her the wonders. He could never completely relax around her for fear he would break her. That constant caution wore on him, he tried to hide it by telling himself he still loved her. That he had just been away from her for too long, but here was his undeniable proof that a human and Toushin could never be together. Now he understood why his old man had left his human lover after they had been together once. A human could never withstand the world that Youkai lived in. They would never be strong enough.

He was the son of a youkai king, and she was just a miserable pathetic human. Youkai valued power and Keiko was a weakness. Hiei had told him that over and over again. Now he wished he had listened. Picking himself up he made his way out of the amusement park and away from their obnoxious human laughter. He sought refuge in a deserted park and sank on to a wooden bench. Her words still ringing in his ears. Worthless, he'd heard it all his life and she had been the one when he was human to defend him. She had been the one he fought for and nearly died for again and again. He felt sick. Maybe he was too youkai to live in the Human world. Or maybe he was just broken. Maybe he didn't have a place. He leaned back against the sodden wood and closed his eyes letting his mind go blank.

Garbed from head to toe in his customary black cloak, a shorter figure stared out of the window in the living room on the second floor of the western style home he often stayed in with his friends. He was like a living statue, a shadow come to life- as his carmine eyes never left the spot that he gazed. The only movement, was that of the pulsing lavender light under his warded bandanna. His muscular body tensed and poised Hiei looked uncertainly out of the window in Kurama's house. His ruby eyes narrowed in thought.

Kurama set his book down and looked over at the apparition with concern in his verdant eyes. "What is it Hiei?" he asked as he stood up and carried his tea cup to the kitchen, his loose crimson hair swishing behind his lithe frame. A frown tugged at his lips as he pondered the only beings that could make Hiei react like he was. Normally the black haired male was aloof to everyone and everything, except Yuusuke and his twin sister Yukina. Kurama had the suspicion that Hiei was secretly in love with Yuusuke but respected him enough not to pursue him because of Keiko.

Hiei had been agitated more than usual the last hour. His eyes hadn't left the window. Now and then there had been a purple glow from the Jagan, the third eye implanted in Hiei's forehead. It was covered by a soft white cloth ward but for some reason Hiei had it open beneath the cloth. Hiei ran a hand through his gravity defying hair that rose like a black-flamed spiky mess on his head. The only change in his black hair was a highlight of white in the shape of a star-burst centered directly above the Jagan.

"Yuusuke is in pain, yet I can't sense him fighting anyone." He said suddenly his deep voice suddenly dark with worry.

"Wasn't he supposed to be going on his big date with Keiko?" Kurama asked as he returned. Worry evident on his beautiful features. He watched Hiei closely.

Hiei growled. There were many things that Hiei the Jaganshi hated; tears, especially those cried by a female, losing in anything, Lies, deceit, store bought convenience food including ice cream and Keiko Yukimura. Not necessarily in that order. Hearing that Yuusuke was in pain and with the twit was too much. This time he would put a stop to this farce. He had not told Yuusuke but Keiko was not the girl next door type she acted like. She was actually a bit of a tramp. He had tolerated Yuusuke dating the trollop because Yuusuke claimed to care about her. But he was not staying silent while she hurt him again. "I don't care, that "date" is over!" he stated before he reached for the lock on the window and was stopped by a slim hand on his arm. Carmine eyes shot to the pale hand with a glare. "What the hell-" Fury flashed in his eyes, but quickly turned to confusion. As the red head pointed at his feet.

Kurama hid it well but Hiei could read his worry for Yuusuke in the movements he made. One pale hand swept through his hair in the back likely taking stock of the seeds hidden there."You took your shoes off by the door, don't you want them?" Kurama said before letting go and moving to the door to get his own shoes and an umbrella. Hiei shrugged his muscled shoulders but moved next to him and began pulling his black boots back on.

Shoes on, Hiei was out the door and frowning impatiently as Kurama locked the door behind them. Tucking his keys away and checking he had his wallet Kurama opened his umbrella and said, "Lead the way Hiei."

The battle had not gone well. The Sengoku Jidai city of Edo was in ruins. Buildings were now in broken heaps of wood, some even charred from the fire. The bandits had been thorough, at least with the destruction. They had not however succeeded in escape. Kagome could not stop running her fingers over the blood soaked subjugation beads of her fallen hero. She had not slept much and though she had eaten she had no appetite. Food tasted like ashes in her mouth and often times would only make her nauseous. Still she ate at every meal at the behest of her friends. Although she knew her time here in this era was almost up, she just could not drag herself away from the place she had last held him. Inuyasha was gone, leaving whatever he had wanted to tell her unsaid in the wake of his death. Soundless tears rolled down her cheeks as she rubbed her fingers over and over the beads.

They, a ragtag bunch consisting of a Hanyou, Miko, Taijiya, Ookamiand Monk along with some assistance unintentionally of course from a full blood Inu youkai, had defeated Naraku a vile and evil hanyou who had terrorize and tormented all of them in one way or another,four years before and Kagome had just come back eleven months ago. After defeating Naraku, he had one last trap planned and sent Kagome into a void. Upon escaping the void she had been unable to cross to the past, as the well she used for transport refused her passage for three years. Finally the day of her eighteenth birthday the well opened once more and she had eagerly returned to her hanyou Inuyasha.Since then Kagome and Inuyasha had been trying to fit their lives together. Hunting for shards had been one thing but normal everyday life was something entirely different.Their wedding had been planned for the end of the month the night of the one year anniversary that she had returned. It was supposed to be the beginning of their lives together.

The sun had set merely two hours before the attack and Inuyasha's human night had begun. There was no chance he would survive such a wound with so long before dawn. The attack happened so fast, there had been no warning and no chance to prepare.

Youkai had come seeking the one who called himself Inuyasha. They had come seeking the jewel of four souls which no longer existed in a form that could be stolen. No one except Kagome knew exactly what that really meant.Kagome and Old Kaede had managed to place a barrier over her hut and the shrine and to shield the people of the city so those who had run for shelter had survived. Inuyasha had refused to cower and hide to wait out the attack till morning. He had walked bravely out to defend his home and his intended. To his credit he had taken four of the youkai with him to the spirit world even without the use of Tetsuaigua the fang shaped sword left to him by his father. The youkai attacking had laughed mockingly at him as he had drawn the rust and chipped blade. But they didn't laugh as that same blade took two of their comrades. He'd been stabbed but still fought. Even as the last two youkai pinned him down and drew their filthy blade across his throat, he fought. Cursing them with his last breath he managed to wedge Tetsuaigua between his killer's ribs and through its heart. His light had gone out with his last act and Kagome had turned the last one to dust in her grief.

Gently, old Kaede- Kikyou's younger sister, the grandmother like miko; took Kagome's hands into her wrinkled calloused hands and held them. Her voice like her body was worn with age. "Kagome child, I have had a premonition thy life is in danger. Dear one, this place is no place for thee to linger. I will handle all of the necessary tasks to lay our hero to his rest, I will make a tomb for him and he will receive every honor we can afford him. I promise thee that. Go and heal thy heart and if the kami are willing we shall meet again one day. I have sent word to Miroku and Sango to let them know. They will understand. Nothing remains for ye here but pain. I will help ye pack quickly and escort ye to the old well. Then I will seal our side child."

Slowly Kagome's eyes filled with tears and slid down the pale skin of her cheek. She knew that Kaede was right. Her waist length midnight colored hair fell forward and hid her face from view as she leaned over Inuyasha's beads, silently her lips moved as she begged him to forgive her for leaving. It seemed there was no place for her in his world without him. After a few moments had past, her shoulders stopped shaking in those horrid silent sobs. She was dirty and her hair matted, she looked awful but she climbed to her feet and began to gather her things from the hut Inuyasha had built for them.

Kaede helped her pack her things quickly, noticing at the bottom of Kagome's bag were the robes she had worn that horrible night still stained with Inuyasha's blood. She sighed heavily but had not removed them or asked to wash them for her; instead she packed everything on top of them. Tearfully Kagome hugged her mentor and the woman who had become a grandmother to her in this era. Lightly she kissed the woman's cheek. Hoping her message would be understood then she turned and without looking back. She walked the direction of Inuyasha's forest. Old Kaede walked silently beside her, her wizened eyes watching for danger. The feeling and premonition still fresh in her mind.

As they arrived at the well Kaede hurried her to the old structure "Go child, don't look back ye will be in our hearts, forever."

Kagome waved good bye and walked the last steps to the well. Sitting on the edge with her legs inside the well she sat there for a long moment her shoulders silently shaking with sobs. Tightly she clutched Inuyasha's beads Kaede had given her. Clenching her eyes closed she jumped into the darkness of the well from this side for the last time.

The tall male with silver hair the color of moonlight and golden eyes like molten suns stared at the place where the Miko had disappeared into the bright flare of blue light and magic. "Where is the woman?" he growled. No longer able to pick up her scent he stalked to the well and glared into its depths. No trace of her remained. "I will not ask you again hag, where is she." He turned angry eyes on the old woman and she flinched but remained silent as her hands moved through the spell. As there was a flash of light and then the constant hum of the well died she looked up. He raised his lips in a silent snarl. "Well?"

"She is out of thy reach, forever," the words had scarcely left the old woman's lips before blood spilled down her chin. Four long slashes cut deeply into the old Miko's chest and she stumbled back towards the well falling against the side as her life ebbed. "Ye will never find her now." she coughed with her last breath.

Sesshomaru turned his back shaking the blood from his claws. He was a proud youkai lord, and slowly during the time hunting for Naraku he had begun to feel some pride for the mixed blood in Inuyasha. The hanyou had earned his respect, but even so he had mixed that blood with that of a miko, not just any miko but the miko who had fought beside him. He'd thought Inuyasha would have learned to keep his distance after the first miko he was infatuated with betrayed him. But that foolish welp... "I will find her no matter where you have hidden her. The girl will die just to be certain that his line is finished." His molten gold eyes flashed to dull red as he turned and walked away, his lips twisted in a wicked grin.

After a time of letting his mind blank, Yuusuke tore his gaze from the sky to stare at the ground, watching the rain water pool into puddles that tomorrow would be played in by children wearing rain coats and boots. He felt empty and cold, lost and worthless, just as she had said. He couldn't even feel the chill of the rain as it soaked through his hair and ran down his face. His clothes were soaked and clung to him, but he wasn't aware of any of that. All he could feel was numb. His chest hurt and it was hard to breathe but he had experienced worse pain and ignored it. He wasn't aware of how cold his skin really was until a hand landed on his shoulder. The heat of that touch seeping through his sodden shirt surprised him. He hadn't even noticed Hiei approach. He could feel the weight of Hiei's eyes on him but couldn't summon up the energy to turn his head. Suddenly the rain stopped falling on him and made a soft shushing sound as it hit fabric and bounced off. He slowly raised his eyes to see the expensive dress pants and shoes of the person beside him. The scent of menthol and roses told him Kurama was standing beside him. Feeling the comfort of the youki of his friends he finally raised his head.

Kurama held an umbrella over his head and Yuusuke looked up in to the warm concerned verdant gaze of his friend and he felt the first tear spill from his eyes to land among the water droplets on his hand. He tried to breathe and it came out a choked sob. Hiei's hand tightened in the wet fabric it was easy to feel his anger in the action. Yuusuke tried to laugh it off but more shaky breaths and another sob broke free. Hiei let go of his shoulder and grabbed his collar intent on shaking him. But another tear rolled down his cheek and fell.

Hiei stared at Yuusuke's tear on his hand in near horror and fury. He had never seen Yuusuke cry before or since the day Genkai had died a second time. This was unacceptable! He hated to see such pain in someone he cared for- respected. Gods, who was he kidding. Ever since Yuusuke had looked at him and uttered the words "I trust you." Hiei had been hooked.

His Mother's kind may have been frigid as the ice that birthed them, but his Fathers blood sang hot in his fiery veins. He wanted Yuusuke, for everything like he had never wanted another soul. The strength of his feelings for the Mazoku overwhelmed him at times and he honestly had no idea what to do with them. Now seeing him like this he was utterly lost on how to take away the pain not just for Yuusuke but for himself as well. Slowly he let go of Yuusuke's collar as Kurama touched his arm. Now was not the time.

Kurama sat next to their leader still holding the umbrella over them all and put his arm around Yuusuke's shoulders. Hiei silently took his cue and sat on Yuusuke's right raising his ki to warm the air. Kurama sighed, he had a fairly good idea what had happened but, he hoped he was wrong. Yuusuke had mentioned to him that he was planning on proposing properly to Keiko soon, and Kurama had halfheartedly encouraged him. "Shall we at least get out of the rain, Yuusuke? We might not be able to get sick as youkai but it is hardly comfortable to be soaked to the skin in chilly rain water. Let's go back to my place and have some hot tea and then if you feel like it you can tell us what happened, okay?" Yuusuke silently nodded and slowly climbed to his feet, Hiei jumping instantly to his feet to stand beside Yuusuke made Kurama pause. Had he hurt both of them tonight with his carelessness? A soft gasp and the wet sound of a body hitting the ground and splashing in one of the deeper puddles startled them all. Hiei spun his hand on his katana ready to defend Yuusuke and Kurama spun on instinct. Then he relaxed a soothing expression sliding on to his face as he saw the small figure trapped under a larger than possible backpack. They were struggling in the water and mud and Kurama wondered why he could not hear any cries for help.

Kagome climbed out of the well and wiped her eyes. She didn't want to see anyone. She didn't want to answer any questions about Inuyasha. Her family would think nothing of it if she didn't come home for a time and being the middle of the night they were not even aware she had returned. Mentally she went over the supplies in her bag and nodded. If she was careful she could easily live off her supplies for a good three weeks. By then she could find a job and start anew. She would contact them then, after she was settled, but not now.

Hefting her pack on to her shoulders and shifting things in her pack so that her quiver was not getting squashed she gathered up her unstrung bow tucked that in carefully as well so that it would not get damaged in the rain she could hear pouring down on the roof of the well house. Looking through the front pocket she found a sutra written by Miroku and placed it under the lip of the well and out of sight sealing the well from her side too. Then silently she opened the shoji doors and closed them again without a sound. Silent as a shadow she slipped across the Shrine and carefully down the stone stairs. Once safely on the sidewalk she broke into a run. She had to get as far from this place as she could.

The closest train station was easily reached if she cut through the large park two blocks away. She could sleep there and take the first train going anywhere. She was soaked to the skin in moments from the heavy rain that was washing everything away. Normally she loved the rain, but tonight the rain was serving a purpose, tonight the rain was washing away the woman known as Kagome Higurashi and leaving just Kagome, a broken Shikon no Miko; an immortal who did not belong in either world. It was for the best that she left this part of Tokyo; too many people knew her and would mention seeing her to her family. Maybe not contacting them again ever would be for the best too. Then they would never know that she was no longer human.

Her feet splashed through the puddles as she ran in the heavy rain, her heavy bag bouncing against her back almost painfully as the precipitation made the bag heavier the wetter it got. She didn't hesitate at the entrance to the park and she paid no heed to whom or what might be lurking inside. Her mind was set and her focus was not as shaky while she ran. Her emotions were in chaos and she had closed off her powers for now she had no need of them. She had not eaten the night before unable to stomach the simple fish stew again. Her stomach lurched and Kagome stopped to turn into a bush where she retched till there was nothing left in her stomach. The rain quickly washed the putrid smells away and Kagome shakily continued on her way. She mentally calculated the money still in her wallet in her bag and thought longingly of tempura and pot stickers. Even a burger sounded amazing.

She was so intent on getting through the park that she did not see the uneven sidewalk until her foot caught it. Her hands flew out to stop her fall but she landed hard on her knees and then as her inertia continued she sprawled on the unforgiving pavement in the middle of an icy puddle, tears blurring her sight, her heavy yellow pack pinning her where she fell. She struggled helplessly unable to ask for assistance. Her shock in watching Inuyasha die had made her mute. The only thing she could do was lay pinned and weep silently into her hands. Mentally begging someone, anyone to help her.

Hands gently moved the heavy pack, as a kind voice questioned, "Are you alright miss?" Kagome was unaware of the sight she was covered in the mud she had landed in. Her cheeks were smudged as well from when she had buried her face in her hands to weep. Kurama's eyes widened as his nose told him of blood's presence on her and that it was youkai in origin. Glancing at Hiei he noticed that the apparition had also noticed as had Yuusuke, the scent cutting through his emotional fog like a knife.

Three pairs of eyes assessed her but all they saw was a small female covered head to foot in mud. Covered in the filth, they could not determine her age or her actual appearance save that she wore the soaked red and white shrine garb of a miko. Around her slender neck hidden partially by the long strands of her soaked and muddied hair was a set of black beads spaced at intervals with youkai teeth. She was tiny, roughly a little taller than Hiei had been five years ago when they had all met, soaked to the skin and dirty from her fall.

Kagome rubbed her eyes to clear them of her tears smudging more mud and nodded her thanks, brushing off her clothes and noticing for the first time the mud covering them. Her eyes filled once more with tears. She clutched the beads around her neck, where the blood scent seemed to originate, before curling into herself and weeping. Yuusuke cast a glance at his friends and saw them nod. Kurama sighed softly as he could hear no sound even though her mouth was open. Her silence bothered him. "Miss, I am going to pick you up and carry you somewhere safe that is close by. There is no point in staying out in the rain we will only end up ill. There is an all night bath house where you can clean up and I insist you use it to your hearts content."

"I'll carry her, Kurama. No point you getting all muddy." Yuusuke said picking her up before they could argue. He scooped up her bag separately and slung it easily over his shoulder. He could fall apart later. Right now this took priority. The weight of her bag surprised him. It was far to heavy for a girl her size to carry and she felt as though she weighed nothing. She didn't fight or protest in the slightest, another thing that worried them all. They could be rapists or murderers for all she knew and she wasn't even trying to fight! In fact the woman didn't respond at all as she continued to cry those horrible silent sobs.

At least they were silent to Yuusuke and Kurama. For Hiei it was another matter. With the Jagan her sobs had sound and meaning. He could hear her clearly and he felt the grief in her broken thoughts. Her mind was closed to him but he kept hearing one name cried over and over: Inuyasha.

He had heard once of a hanyou called Inuyasha. He had been the hanyou who had defeated the evil Naraku in the quest for the jewel. The legends said he died a hero and that he was mourned by all those who knew him. But no one mourned more than the Shikon no Miko, who was to have become his mate. But Inuyasha had died only a fortnight before their wedding. No one had ever heard what became of the missing Miko but this woman knew a name centuries old, was mourning a hanyou who was five hundred years plus dead, how in the seven hells was that possible?

Flanked by Kurama and Hiei Yuusuke carried the woman to the all night bath house and there they waited for her to change and bathe all of them lost in confusion about the conundrum just dropped on them. The female was faster at her bathing than they had anticipated but she did look 100% better clean.

Kagome came out of the room and bowed to the males who had been kind enough to help her in the park. They felt familiar to her as all youkai did. Oh yes, she knew what they were and it was also why she knew she was in no danger. Youkai she could defend herself from it was humans who terrified her.

Yuusuke stared. He didn't mean to look at her, but now that she wasn't wearing those awful clothes and she was dressed normally and out of the rain he could see her clearly. She was gorgeous. Her still wet long midnight hair framed a delicate feminine face with the bluest eyes he'd ever seen. Her full pink lips turned down a little but they still looked kissable. Her figure no longer hidden, curved in all the right places and he noticed Kurama openly admiring her while she wasn't looking at any of them. Even Hiei was checking her out covertly of course. Yuusuke's only thought at that moment was: damn. It was clear that she was not as young as they had assumed with her full figure that of a woman. Her eyes were too knowing aged with some experience they couldn't begin to guess. She had changed in to a pair of jeans and a t-shirt much too light for the weather.

Without much argument from the silent woman they all made their way to the 24 hour café just outside of the train station. Yuusuke carried her inside and Kurama asked for a table, some hot tea for the woman as well as a large order of gyoza and tempura vegetables and a round of hot sake for himself and his friends. The woman excused her self limping slightly to the restroom leaving her things behind.

As soon as the door closed Kurama peeked into her pack and raised an eyebrow at what he found. The first things to meet his gaze were her bow and arrows like the kind he had seen in museums. He had only seen one other bow like hers and it had been over five hundred years old and it was a collector's piece worth a very large amount of money. Her arrows were in perfect condition even the fletching was new. He could smell the same scent of blood coming from somewhere within her pack and frowned. There was no time to search through her bag.

"She will be coming out in a few seconds Fox." Hiei warned as he watched the door. Carefully Kurama replaced her bag as she had left it. He would need longer to discover her secrets. And he would discover, them it was not a choice, she had been covered in the scent of youkai blood and she was dressed as a Miko, two things that set his blood a boil and his mind racing with his need for answers.

As she returned she gave her rescuers a sort of smile and Yuusuke felt a jolt through his system. 'Youkai blood,' he reminded himself before he got too interested. Not one to beat around the bush Yuusuke leaned over and whispered "demons, what do you know of them?" as she settled on the bench next to him. Kurama rolled his eyes and Hiei glared. Yuusuke never was good at being subtle.

Kagome opened her mouth to answer and then lowered her head before she dug around in her pack. Pulling out a notebook she wrote: "not as much as I would like to, why do you know where I can meet some youkai to question?"

Kurama read her words slowly trying to find any hidden meaning. He was taken back by the way she had underlined the word youkai. Most humans that knew of them, called them demons insisting that they spawned from their idea of hell. To call a youkai a demon was rather like a racial slur. All youkai hated it. "If I did, what would you want with them?" he wrote back thinking it odd she was writing instead of speaking. Was there a reason she did not speak to them? Was this a sort of game or could she just not speak.

She studied them all silently and then she leaned over the notebook; Kagome wrote one word that left them all puzzled, "Friendship." She paused for a moment before she wrote "I'm Kagome, who are you guys?"

Yuusuke leaned closer and whispered "I will be happy to tell you my name if you will answer one question for me. I don't want to sound rude but, why do you smell of youkai blood?" Leaning close to her he could smell a variety of scents her hair smelled of the shampoo she had used to wash with, but behind all of that she smelled of ozone, she smelled of power. That caught his interest, a human with power who possibly wanted to befriend youkai? Was she for real? Unknown to him Kurama and Hiei were thinking along those same lines but for different reasons.

Her face fell and tears began to fall from her red puffy eyes rolling down her cheeks as she wrote in a shaky script. "My- best friend died in my arms. And yes he was youkai." she covered her face trying to regain her composure.

"I am so very sorry Kagome. My name is Kurama. He is Yuusuke and our friend Hiei. I apologize for all of the questions but we mustn't be too careful. Is there something we can do to help you, my dear?" Kurama asked kindly. Something about her story was off but he couldn't place it. Maybe it was the look on her face that told him a "friend" was not an accurate description.

When she started to cry, Yuusuke wanted to kick himself for doubting her and bringing up such a topic, but he had to be sure. Just as Kurama had said they had to error on the side of caution. If she was dangerous they had to know so that she could be taken to the Reikai. But Kagome seemed practically harmless. She couldn't know that they were S class youkai and that no human power was enough to worry them. Still she was beautiful. He watched a tear roll down her cheek and noticed that it sparkled as it splashed on the table. Was it possible that after Keiko, the gods would see fit to show him humanity was not a lost cause and send him proof?

Hiei however used the chance to nudge at her mental barriers but he found no way through them. This girl- woman was powerful if she could thwart the Jagan. Who was she, really? She bent to write something and Hiei snatched the notebook from her. "Speak onna, there is no need for this irritating game." She sighed and held out her hand for the pilfered notebook. "No, speak woman. I refused to indulge this whim."

She shook her head slowly and pointed to her throat. "Hiei, she cannot." Kurama began to explain, but Hiei glared.

"You can't speak? Yes, you can." He stated as his Jagan glowed behind his headband. ^Now onna, tell me why you are refusing to speak to us. This game stops now.^ Hiei demanded mentally his voice making her jump. She looked as him curiously and then a slow sad smile spread over her lips, it didn't touch her eyes. She didn't however look away meeting his gaze with hers.

~Its not a game. So you are...an elemental right? Kurama san is a kitsune but he feels strange, off somehow like there are two beings sitting there. I haven't figured out Yuusuke san's kind yet though. ~

^Onna-^ Hiei warned his eyes narrowing at her wayward thoughts. ^You are at my mercy and my patience is wearing thin.^

~Oh, right. Um my grandmother said it was some kind of reaction to the shock of seeing my f-f-friend die~ her mental voice quivered and Hiei was unsurprised to see that tears were flowing from her eyes as she looked at him.

^Show me.^ Hiei demanded pushing again against her mental barriers. There were no weaknesses that he could grip to rip it open, rather like a wall, a smooth wall with no flaws instead of the typical curtain. He mentally growled in frustration.

~I can't. Forgive me, but we all have secrets. I swear to you I am no threat.~

Kurama glared at his shorter less patient friend and wrapped an arm around her. "Hiei, Kagome san is very fragile at this time and you must be gentle with her. I want answers too but forcing her to speak isn't possible."

^I know the shock muted her^ Hiei interrupted mentally. ^She told me, Kurama. She also told me that you are a kitsune but youfeel strange, off somehow like there are two beings sitting there. Kurama started and blinked down at the woman removing his arm casually. ^and I am an elemental and she hasn't figured outYuusuke's kind. This is a dangerous onna. You saw how she was dressed and the weapons she carries. She is a Miko powerful enough to thwart the Jagan.The question is why does she want friendship and did she kill her friend? ^

*She thwarted the Jagan, dear Inari! She is a threat to all of us then. She could potentially do some damage or even kill one of us. But as she said something is off. So don't you dare ask her that about her friendHiei! Would a Miko cryafter every mention of her youkai friend's death if she killed them? Think about it Hiei, look at her she loved this friend. Amale to whom she was very close. I would wager not only a friend. Perhaps a lover or intended.Look at her eyes and tell me that the pain there isn't similar to Yuusuke's. She loved this youkai who ever he was.* Kurama replied to Hiei through their mental connection. Hiei glared back at the Kitsune.

Their order arrived at the table and Kagome looked hungrily at the food. Yuusuke noticed the look and pushed the plate her way. "Eat, they won't finish their discussion anytime soon." she snatched the plate devouring the gyoza very quickly. She looked longingly at the tempura. She had an apology in her eyes for the empty plate but she felt like she hadn't eaten in a week and the smell of cooking she was more used to ignited her appetite once again and she was famished. Yuusuke waved his hand silently giving her the go ahead and she devoured the tempura too.

Yuusuke watched her eat like a starving stray and realized that the pain she was feeling must be enormous. He could see it in her eyes and the way her shoulders drooped. He was positive that she was just what she said, needing a friend. He slid closer to her on the bench in a reckless and sudden move and grabbed her up in a hug that startled them both. She didn't move for a moment and then slowly she hugged him back. "I don't know why I know this, but you need a hug right?" he whispered to her. Kagome buried her face in his shoulder and nodded.

She closed her eyes and let herself feel safe in his arms though she felt the pain and confusion in his aura and tightened her arms around him. "You need a hug too don't youYuusuke? I can feel your pain. I don't know why you are hurting but I can't let it alone. So you need this right? " she asked silently in her thoughts.

Hiei turned his eyes from Kurama and watched them, even in this public place he would kill her if she threatened Yuusuke and damn the consequences. The onna was dangerous, but strangely gentle even though she knew Yuusuke was a youkai she was willingly comforting him. What a puzzling onna. But he could not help the twinge of jealousy that a woman they had just met was bold enough to hug Yuusuke when he had not mustered the courage.

After a moment Yuusuke let her go and as she opened her mouth to say some thing he popped the last piece of tempura from that plate in her mouth. She shook her head as she ate the bite. Her stomach growled and Yuusuke grinned at her somehow feeling lighter like hugging her had made everything alright again. She blushed and ducked her head mouthing 'sorry.' Yuusuke shook his head still smirking "Sorry for what, being hungry? Eat Kagome. Kurama ordered the food to be eaten," he said picking up another piece of vegetable tempura and dipping it into the sauce. He held it out to her with his hand under it to catch any drips. Kagome giggled silently as she took the offered piece from his chopsticks with her teeth. The second plate of tempura disappeared swiftly after the first bite.

"Um, Kurama I think we will need some more food." Yuusuke said looking at the now empty plates and back at their very hungry guest. They all looked at the small slip of a woman and Yuusuke laughed as her stomach growled again. "Have you not eaten in a while?" she shook her head in answer and looked to Kurama.

Kurama eyed the empty plates and the guilty look and raised his hand to call the waitress over. When she arrived Kurama quickly gave the order for a second order of everything plus whatever was already standing by to be served. Slyly he slid a bill in her hand and she smiled and went off to fetch the plates that the chef had just finished preparing. When the plates arrived Kagome bounced a little with excitement making Kurama and Yuusuke laugh.

Hiei however was faced with a strange collection of pieces to a puzzle called Kagome. And the direction those pieces were falling had him faced with an unbelievable possibility. He was youkai so he had seen and done things said to be impossible but how this woman knew Inuyasha enough to mourn him, her acceptance of youkai, her knowledge of youkai types and her ability to sense Yoko also her power great enough to block the Jagan, now she was an impossibility. He knew for a fact that human miko no longer needed power like hers so the blood line had thinned. So how was a miko with her power here in the human world? She had to be...but it was improbable. He did not believe in fate or in coincidence but if not that then what? They just happened to run into a woman who knows about youkai, likes youkai, wants to be friends with youkai on the day that the Keiko bitch decides to be a bitch and hurt his Yuusuke. Simply impossible he needed proof. And all of that proof was three feet away in a giant yellow pack...He could play nice until he knew for sure and then he wasn't sure what to do.

Kurama picked up a pair of chopsticks and picked up a fried noodle and held it out to her. Hiei rolled his eyes as he pushed the cup of tea towards her reheating it a little to make it the perfect temperature. And then pouring his friends a drink of heated sake he sat down next to Kurama and picked up his own set of chopsticks.

Kagome eyed him while she chewed the noodles. Her eyes silently plead for him not to join in, but Hiei was not in the practice of making anything simple but he was also not in the habit of doing things like feeding onna's that were fully capable of feeding themselves, so he picked up some noodles and popped them into his own mouth.

Kagome smiled at him gratefully and picked up the sake, she held it out in offer and he picked up the empty dish in front of him with a nod. If she wanted to pour him sake he had no reason to refuse.

They passed the evening enjoying the company and the males enjoying their selves feeding her while she poured them their sake and ate every bite put in front of her with gusto. Time slid by and before too long it had gotten later and the storm had lulled. Kagome yawned, jaw cracking. Kurama glanced at his watch and sighed. "Time for us to head home, Kagome, do you have somewhere to go?"

Slowly she nodded and bowed her silent thanks. Hiei put his hand on her bag. "You will be doing no such thing Onna. As if the three of us would allow you to sleep in a train station with no where as a , put that thought out of your head."

Kurama and Yuusuke looked at her in shock and then looked at the smug look on Hiei's face. Somehow they got the feeling Kagome had wanted to keep that information to herself. However now that it was in the open Kurama eagerly rose to the occasion.

"My place is nothing terribly fancy, but I have a guest room and it has a private bathroom. I insist you spend the night out of the rain. Tomorrow we can help you to locate another place if you wish. I live just a short train ride from here or a rather long walk or short run if you prefer. The rain has paused for the moment but it will get worse before the night ends so…" He offered his arm to her with a smile. She took it slowly and he picked her up once again when she winced as she took a step. "I noticed that you are favoring your right ankle so I will make a poultice for it when we get to my place." He turned to Yuusuke who had gone quiet. "You will stay as well. I will not take no for an answer."

~Bossy Kitsune! ~ Kagome huffed mentally. Hiei smirked.

^ You will be living in the "apartment" for as long as you have nowhere to go. We will not let you sleep in a tent or at a train station. Don't bother trying to lie, we can tell when you do. Kurama's place is a house he is renting. It has five bedrooms and two levels. It even has a small guest house. It's also not even in Tokyo but just outside of it. ^ Hiei told her mentally as he picked up her pack. Opening it to shove the notebook inside.

~bossy Elementals too!~

"I'm going to run and beat the storm. I hate getting wet and you two will be slower. I'll carry her stuff back." Hiei said to the other males before he was gone.

Kagome frowned at the place he had been standing a moment ago. Yuusuke and Kurama seemed to be trustworthy but she wasn't sure about Hiei. All of her secrets were in her bag and written in a journal. With Hiei gone so too was her means of communicating with these two as he had taken her notebook. Damn.

Kurama threw some bills on the table and nodded to Yuusuke who took Kagome from him and then Kurama was gone as well. "Alright, let's go hop a train." Yuusuke said with a grin. Kagome sighed and laid her head against his shoulder, it wasn't as though she could complain. Her stomach was full and her eyelids were heavy. Yuusuke's steady breathing and pleasant natural clean smell soon had her eyes closing and her mind calming. She had come to be used to her male youkai friends carrying her, Inuyasha used to love doing so. First on his back and then in his arms like Yuusuke was doing now. But it wasn't as though Koga hadn't done the same.

There was just something comfortable about this Yuusuke that set her at ease and made her feel safe. Kurama made her feel similar, but Hiei- he made her feel completely exposed and vulnerable. It was not a pleasant idea to consider that her thoughts were not hers alone when the shorter dark youkai was around. She shivered.

Soft concerned chocolate brown eyes turned to her as he paused in his steps. "Kagome, are you alright?" he asked feeling her tremble. Her sad cobalt eyes opened as she looked at him. "I know things have happened really fast, that have changed your life, I can tell. I know the feeling." He cradled her small form with one arm as he pulled out his wallet and bought two passes for the train they needed. "Would you like to hear a story Kagome? You know to pass the time?"

Kagome smiled a little and nodded.

"Alright, it began just after my fifteenth birthday." Kagome blinked this beginning was a lot like her own, "Now I'm no saint and I was known as the great Urameshi a nasty punk from Sarayashki Junior High school. I was human then or rather I thought I was. I hated school and teachers and I was well known for my fists having the strongest punches in the city. Quite a rep huh?" he chuckled at her eager look. "There I was having a crappy ass day when I spot this dumb kid. This little kid is playing ball on the side of the road. I warned him about it and continued on my way. Suddenly I hear screeching tires and I act. I leaped for the kid about to be roadkill, I shove the kid outta the way and bang! I'm dead."

She covered her mouth with her hands and shook her head in confusion. Yuusuke chuckled at her reaction, "I won't bore you with the emotional shit, but I did an ordeal to win back my life and as payment I am assigned the Spirit detective of the Ningenkai. Yep, I won the right to fight evil and protect the humans and all that. All around protector of the good stuff, as my friend Kuwabara says."

Yuusuke grinned as he watched her reactions to his words. She was silently laughing enjoying the story as he told it, something Keiko never had. Keiko had never wanted to make friends with "demons". Truthfully it wasn't hearing that her friend who died was youkai, or that she was looking for youkai friends, it was the look she had given him of disapproval when he had said they were demons. She had been genuinely displeased with his use of the term. Going so far as to underline twice the word youkai when she replied to the question. Silently in her own way she had told him more of her character through that then any other way she could have. She clearly hated the term demon and refused to allow it. Yuusuke also had, gathered that she would be totally cool about youkai oddities like claws and fangs too.

"My first mission was to get back these three things that had been stolen. That's how I met Kurama and Hiei. They were the thieves. Before you go thinking that they are evil or whatever, I have to say that they have come a long way since that time. Now, I trust both of them with my life. Kurama is great at the brainy stuff that confuses most people and thanks to his human side he has a good grasp of the emotional stuff. I'll let him tell you more if he wants. Now Hiei, well he's different. Where Kurama is light Hiei is dark." He felt her shiver again and shook his head. "He's not evil, but he can be confusing. He wouldn't have spoken to you at all if he didn't want to help you even just a little. He isn't like that. Hiei is black and white no grey at all. And he's honest about things to a fault. He hates lies and deceit. It took me till last year to really understand him. You will see that underneath that cold facade that Hiei is actually kinda nice in his own way. He is a great guy and if he gives you any problems you come to me and I'll set him straight."

'You like him.' she mouthed.

He blushed a little, "Maybe." Yuusuke winked as he picked her up once again and carried her off the train at their stop. He was quiet the rest of the walk. Kagome relaxed in to his arms again and was soon sound asleep. With Kagome asleep he now had way too much time to think on everything. Surprisingly though his thoughts didn't go immediately to Keiko or their break up fight. They went instead to Hiei.

Yuusuke blushed, god Hiei...His expressions, his body, his laugh, his eyes...He was such a freak, liking his male friend like he did. Kagome was right, he did like Hiei as much more than a friend. Somehow Keiko must have figured that out and gotten jealous. Had he really talked about Hiei so often as to be said constantly? Did that make him gay? Or was he just a fucked up mess? Kagome was hot, and he would certainly not mind sliding between her thighs, but Hiei rocked his world too. Was he bi? God, he didn't know! He couldn't ask anyone except Kagome, but he didn't know her enough to do so yet. Or did he? Maybe, if he had the chance he could ask her what she thought.

Her mouth open in a silent scream Kagome bolted upright and panted as tears poured from her eyes. She felt a displacement of wind and a pair of hands gripped her shoulders. Still in the haze of her nightmare she threw herself into the chest of the male, her body wracked with silent sobs. She clung to the warm body like a life line. ~Inuyasha! No! Please! Stop bleeding! It won't stop! Inuyasha!~

Fingers gripped the cloth of his clothes with white knuckles. Her body shook with horrible sobs that only he could actually hear. And God he wished he could not. He honestly hated to see this woman, this unique female cry. Hiei looked down at the woman in shock. He'd heard her scream and rushed to assist her. She had made no physical sound and so the other two slept undisturbed. He had moved to wake her and now he found himself in a rather awkward situation. When she had flung herself weeping at him he had been taken off guard and her slight form had pinned him where he sat. She was clinging to him tightly too. He felt her tears soak through his thin tank top and he sighed. "Onna calm down. It was a dream." He said in his best attempt to be gentle. Now that he knew who she was, he could afford some kindness to her.

Hiei had run on ahead and in the pretense of helping her to settle in, searched her things. He had emptied her pack on to the floor and was rummaging through when Kurama came in and began putting things in drawers. Hiei had paid him little attention as he continued sifting through her things. The blood soaked robes had given them both a start as it was obvious from the amount of blood coving the cloth that the friend she spoke of had bled to death. Hiei narrowed his eyes as Kurama set the robes aside to ask her what he should do with them. Hiei went back to searching. His hand brushed a leather bound book and he waited until Kurama turned away before he tucked the book into his shirt. He would read it later.

For some reason he felt unwilling to share his find with the kitsune. Maybe it was, simply knowing something that Kurama didn't, or maybe it was his own certainty that if she was who he thought she was Kurama would most likely pursue her- she was rather beautiful as humans went. He still wasn't ready to see another of his teammates suffer the pains of female cruelty. He was certain that this book contained the guilt and the confession of what had really happened to her friend. Whatever his reasons he was cautious as he finished rummaging through her things and left. It occurred to him then that Yuusuke was alone with the woman and he darted off to follow them.

He watched over Yuusuke like a silent shadow. When he noticed the woman was sleeping in Yuusuke's arms he frowned. Yuusuke seemed deep in thought and as much as Hiei wanted to he had never established a metal connection with Yuusuke allowing him his mental privacy. Mostly because it was the one thing he could do for Yuusuke to return his trust. Having his back was a given, so this was Hiei's unspoken gift. His eyes scanned the Toushin slowly taking in all of the details of him, the sadness in his eyes, the weight of his steps and the droop of his shoulders. He looked like he had been beaten; defeated. His hair fell around his face wildly and no longer gelled back. His clothes still rather wet clung to his figure as he walked and Hiei had to force his eyes away from the muscles that the wet shirt and pants revealed. This was foolish, Yuusuke was still with his human and Hiei would never be in his arms. With a shake of his head Hiei vanished in to the night.

Finding a quiet place in the attic where he had set up a kind of room for himself, Hiei settled down on the futon he'd acquired and with a snap of his fingers he lit the several lamps and candles surrounding his little area. He still didn't use electric lights. Pulling out the book he looked it over. The cover of the book was well worn and fraying in several places and Hiei raised an eyebrow at the condition it was in. Shrugging he opened the book and began to read…

The more he read the more he respected the woman and the more he realized the legends about her and her quest were all lies. He had judged her unfairly. It took all of his will not to rush down stairs and demand that she explain the rest of the things she had written for she had ended mid sentence. He felt her when Yuusuke brought her in to the house for the air somehow seemed cleaner and the urge to ask her his questions grew. But she was asleep and so he listened to Yuusuke and Kurama put her in the guest room beneath him and then walk further in to the house. He was curious about the days occurrence with Yuusuke looking so broken so he moved along the frame boards with the grace of a cat until he was over the living room.

He could hear Kurama in the kitchen and the sound of water running then the creak of the couch as someone settled on it. "Relax Yuusuke, put your feet up." Yuusuke on the couch then. "Your tea will be ready in a few moments. Oh, Yuusuke are you crying?"

"I did it Kurama. I told her I wanted to marry her. I told her I wanted to have children with her and she punched me in the face. She wanted me to be normal and to forget about everything. She even said we could get married then, but when I told her I wanted her to have my children she said-" Yuusuke drew a shaky breath and Hiei grit his teeth. "She said she would rather abort them than to carry my demon spawn."

"That bitch!" Kurama hissed. And Hiei vehemently agreed. Were it not something Yuusuke would be upset at him for Hiei would happily hunt the harpy down. "Yuusuke she didn't deserve you."

"I know. And after everything I think I am more upset that she called you and Hiei demonic! I lost my shit Kurama. I lost it and I told her how I felt about school and how embarrassing that was and how I fought for her and that I couldn't stop fighting and she dumped me." he laughed without humor, "I didn't feel the hurt I thought I would, in fact I felt relief. I thought that she was a pathetic human and then I felt sick. Everything I have done till now was for her and for nothing."

The couch creaked and there was a soft whistle. "Not nothing Yuusuke, you have me and Hiei." He heard Kurama in the kitchen and the couch creaked again.

"Yeah, you are right Kurama. Remind me sometime to ask you something about Hiei. Night K'rama, sorry about the tea going to waste. I'm beat." then Hiei heard Yuusuke's steps on the wooden floor and up the stairs, the door to the second guest room opened and closed.

"Good night Yuusuke." Kurama said softly though it was too late.

It was a little known fact and one he would deny to the grave but he was just as curious as Kurama when it came to puzzles. Normally he could brush it off with his –I don't-care –attitude, but damn if this woman's secret would let him do that. As luck would have it, her room, it seemed was right below his. That would make it convenient to continue trying to find a weakness in her mental barriers as she slept. And now he had other worries, what question about him did Yuusuke want to ask Kurama and why not ask directly? He crept back to his futon and laid down. His mind spun in several directions, he pondered on each of them until the house was silent and still and many hours had passed.

It was while he was pondering all of his thoughts that the peace of the night was shattered by an anguished scream that echoed in his mind, brought him to his feet and jumping down one of the hidden entrances to the attic and into her room. It was her scream that drew him to her bedside to find her mouth open as tears poured from her eyes. Her tears bothered him and he wanted her to wake so that she would stop crying over a male so unworthy of her love. Gripping her shoulders he was going to shake her a little but before he could he found himself pinned by the distraught priestess who was shaking with mentally agonizing sobs.

"Onna stop this foolishness. You and I both know that tears do not revive the dead. Stop crying over a foolish and heartless bastard like him." He hadn't meant his words to be so harsh. He hadn't meant to make her pull away from him like he had slapped her. Damn it. She moved away from him scooting to the other side of the bed and wedging herself in the corner furthest from him. Her eyes were dark with anger and her mind snapped closed to him as though she had slammed a door.

~You read my journal?! How dare you presume to know anything about him? He might have been foolish and stubborn but he was honorable and more than anything I loved him. He died protecting everyone in our village even though it was his human night. His body was broken right before my eyes and I could do nothing as he bled out in my arms. I know tears won't bring him back I'm not a fool. Did you have anything else you wanted to pour salt in, I could give you plenty to use against me. ~ She was crying tears of rage and pain as she turned away from him.

Hiei felt guilty as he reached out his hand to try and stop her from withdrawing from him completely. Already he knew that her thoughts were out of his reach and though he could speak to her she would not answer back. Speaking mentally would do nothing he would have to speak aloud. All he could do was to apologize for his thoughtlessness.

"Onna-Kagome, words are not easy for me and I do not waste them speaking constantly. I just spoke without thinking. I did not mean to hurt you. Onna, I do not say this lightly, I did read your journal but only so I might know better how to help. I wasn't looking for things to use against you." Hiei waited, hoping that she would not make him grovel for forgiveness.

Her head didn't turn, but her thoughts opened a little barely enough for him to catch her thoughts but not enough for her to hear his. ~I don't trust you, but I don't hate you or anything. I shouldn't have lost my temper. I'm sorry, Hiei san. ~

"Hiei is fine. Titles make me uncomfortable."

~Me too. ~ Her mental blocks opened a little more and she sat up. She still kept her distance from him physically but she was looking at him again. He sat down on her bed with his back to her. "Onna why did you save the dead priestess, I don't understand."

~Which time? If it was the cave then it was because I couldn't leave her behind. If it was the time I healed her by purifying the miasma, I don't know either. I never hated Kikyo, even though my life was nothing to her. I couldn't hate her because I felt sorry for her. Can you imagine what it must have been like to know that some other woman with your soul was with the male you loved and even though you are dead all you are causing him is confusion? I can't imagine how much pain she was in until the moment she finally could rest when she died a second time in his arms. ~

"Would you really have given up your life for her just to make him happy?"

~Yes. I wouldn't have hesitated either, however he never would have forgiven me for leaving. Even if there was a way for her to be revived with my soul he wouldn't have been happy. The guilt would have destroyed him. I could never make someone suffer that way. Kikyo wanted him to change for her, but he would have resented her for it. I never wanted him to go through that for me. ~

Kagome sighed silently and scooted closer to him. The way he was sitting seemed so dejected and lonely. Slowly her arms wrapped around his shoulders and she laid her head on his back. ~Why do you look so confused and lonely, Hiei? You have two great friends who I am certain would do anything for you. Yet you keep your distance like you expect to be thrown away at any second. Why? ~

Hiei glanced back at her in surprise, he had no idea how she had read him so completely. In just a matter of hours she had seen through him like reading a book. He'd never let a soul close to him except by default. Mukuro had plucked the thoughts and memories from his mind. Kurama didn't even know his past. Maybe someday he would open up to Kagome but it would not be this night. "I do as I must to survive, onna. You should at least try to sleep a little more. Kurama and Yuusuke and I will protect you so relax and sleep."

Kagome nodded and lay back down her eyes closing wearily. Hiei got up, moved and sat down on the window seat. Crossing his arms he leaned back on to the wall and closed his eyes. His Jagan glowed purple beneath his warded bandana as he allowed it to keep an eye on the occupants of the house. He watched over Yuusuke and Kagome mostly though due to the emotional state they were in. At least that's what he told himself.

He rarely allowed himself to sleep but for some reason he felt himself drifting off and before he knew it he had begun to dream. His dreams were of bright colors and starry skies and a lonely well in the center of wooded clearing, where sat a tall figure hunched and weary. His sable eyes no longer shining with mirth. His tan skin was pale and greyish, it was then Hiei noticed the trickle of blood on his chin and his eyes drifted down to the sculpted chest and the gorgeous muscles and he froze. There was a gaping hole where Yuusuke's heart should be and as his eyes took in the macabre scene he saw it in Yuusuke's hand, a glowing pink jewel covered in blood. On the ground half laying in Yuusuke's arms was Kagome her sightless eyes staring at nothing, her mouth slack and blood pooled around her her heart also missing. Yuusuke's mouth moved with a rattling whisper "Hiei, you came too late..." Hiei's eyes shot open with a gasp. "Yuusuke!"

~*oOo*~

A nose twitched as he unconsciously inhaled trying to place the smells. Kurama sat up and looked at the clock on his nightstand. It was barely six. His ears perked at the sound of sizzling and popping coming from the kitchen. He smelled miso and rice along with fish and a few other things he couldn't place due to the eclectic smells. Getting up and throwing a robe over his bare chest and shoulders Kurama began to follow his nose.

Yuusuke met him in the hall and looked like he had just awakened himself. His black hair was tousled and stuck up in several places. The sleep pants he had borrowed hung low on his hips and he was bare-chested. Sometime during the night his youkai blood must have come to the surface for Kurama could see the fading impression of the youkai markings on his body. Kurama looked slightly confused at the Mazoku "Are you cooking something?"

""Nope I just woke up. Smells good though doesn't it?" Yuusuke said with a deep breath. "I can smell bacon and eggs and pancakes. Damn I think I'm starving just smelling it."

Ah that was the other smells he could place all of them now and indeed they made his mouth water. With a shrug he followed his overzealous house guest to the kitchen. Hiei met them in the hall he looked upset but he glared at them both before walking past and through the kitchen door.

Kagome dressed a clean set of priestess robes with the sleeves tied back, held a frying pan and a pancake flipper. She slid the pancake around the nonstick surface and with a twitch of her wrist she tossed the pancake out of the pan catching it easily again batter side down. She set the pan back on the stove and Yuusuke clapped.

She jumped at the sound and then silently laughed to herself. Glancing at the pancake she smiled and beckoned them to follow her. They did and Kurama gaped. The dining table was set perfectly and a very large stack of pancakes and other breakfast foods adorned the table. He knew the rice and miso had been in the house but the rest? She waved her hand in invite before ducking back into the kitchen. With a click the stove had been turned off and she returned with another plate piled high with light fluffy pancakes and a tray of pan fried fish.

She frowned as she saw they were just looking at all the food and hadn't touched it. Setting her burdens down she sat between Yuusuke and Kurama. She reached over and pointed at the rice bowl with a question in her eyes. Yuusuke nodded and she happily dished him up some steamed rice. Kurama smiled as she repeated the action with his and Hiei's bowls. She then dished up her own and picked up her cooking chopsticks. With a shake of her head she picked up Yuusuke's plate and heaped it with a little of everything and then she reached for Kurama's.

"I believe I will dish up my own but thank you, Kagome."

She nodded and smiled as she snatched Hiei's plate and quickly heaped it with just as much as Yuusuke's. He frowned at her but took the full plate. She hadn't noticed Kurama filling her plate while she had turned to hand Hiei his food. When she turned back around her eyes widened comically at the amount of food on her plate. Kurama looked at her innocently. "You are my guest Kagome, you eat first my dear."

Yuusuke froze with his forkful of food halfway to his mouth. Kagome sighed and giggled silently as she picked up her soup and delicately sipped it. Kurama, she noticed only ate what she herself ate as though he were uncertain of the food's safety, till she partook of it.

~Hiei please tell Kurama san he is hurting my feelings. I would never harm anyone who has been kind to me. I wanted to thank all of you for caring for me last night.~

Hiei frowned after his nightmare he wasn't feeling particularly chatty. "Fox, you are making Kagome feel badly. She says this is a thank you for last night's help. Eat the food, Kurama and stop acting like she did something to it. It tastes good so enjoy. Kagome is not the type to poison anything."

Kagome silently gasped shaking her head vehemently. Kurama looked embarrassed and bowed his head. "Forgive me Kagome but it is in my nature to be distrusting of anything the cook will not eat. I certainly did not think you would have done so on purpose but errors on the side of caution have kept me alive a long time."

Kagome kept her gaze locked with his as she took a bite of everything on her plate. Raising her eye brow she silently challenged him. He laughed. "Point made. It is very delicious Kagome. I wonder though at the quantity of food that was not here when I went to bed last night."

Kagome blushed and took a large mouthful of pancake. Hiei frowned. How had she gotten out of the house without him noticing? He usually slept light enough that any movement would have woken him. That he slept so deeply made him anxious. He cast a glance covertly at Yuusuke and then Kagome silently relieved that they still breathed. A wayward thought made him pause.

Yuusuke laughed. It was a deep rich and warm sound that made Kagome silently laugh too. Kurama laughed again too and Kagome felt for the first time that maybe she would be alright as long as she could laugh and eat with her new friends the pain wasn't so crippling. Hiei had been asleep when she woke and snuck out.

Hiei caught her eye and raised an eyebrow at her. "You mean you snuck out and back without me noticing because you hid your aura? Onna, how are we supposed to protect you when we didn't even know you were gone? Did you wear that?" He asked distastefully.

~All of my other clothes were filthy and this was all I had clean. As for protecting myself- ~

Kagome shook her head and held up her hand. Summoning a little power to her fingertips she flared her energy a little. Kurama backed up swiftly as did Yuusuke and Hiei. She shook her head and quickly let it die again.

~I was just showing you I can protect myself- I would never hurt anyone unprovoked. ~

"You have an odd way of proving things onna. I could have killed you and you never would have seen me coming. Next time warn somebody. It's alright she was showing us that she has the ability to defend herself. She isn't purifying anyone today." Hiei slammed his katana back into his sheathe and growled at her.

Kagome looked down at her plate and curled in wards her tears dripped off her nose and landed with soft plops. Yuusuke recovered from the shock and pulled her into his arms. "I trust you Kagome; you just startled us is all. Miko with your powers according to Kurama are extremely rare now days. It was instinct to jump away from danger not mistrust. Nobody likes to be protected all the time and I am glad that where youkai are concerned you can fight back," Yuusuke hugged her. "My job though is to make sure you don't have to fight alright?"

Kagome nodded. She drew a deep breath. ~Tell them Hiei. Tell them who I am. I don't want to hide it. Danger will come seeking me and you should all know who and what I am. ~

A feeling of dread coiled in his belly. Bringing to mind his nightmare. "Onna, what are you that we don't already know?"

~ I am the physical manifestation of the Shikon Jewel. ~

Hiei felt his eyes widen his dream taking on new meaning. "You are the jewel of four souls? What the hell Onna!" He jumped up and knocked over his tea in the process. Kurama jumped up as well staring at her in disbelief. Yuusuke just looked confused.

~I was charged to be its eternal protector and it merged with my soul. ~

"So you are saying that not only do we have the Shikon no Miko here but that you are the damned jewel itself?" he spluttered angrily his eyes blazing and the hand on his hilt gripping so tightly his knuckles were white.

~Yes. ~ she nodded her head.

Kurama stared at her before taking a step closer. Yuusuke reacted to the anger by pushing Kagome behind him. "Hiei calm the hell down. I want an explanation before you lose your cool. You too Kurama, calm down and stop acting like you have seen a ghost. "

Kurama got a hold of his emotions and sighed. "Yuusuke, it is no surprise you do not know of the legends it became obscure and you grew up in the human world, but in the Makai her tale was a story told as a bed time story to children. My own mother told it to me when I was just a kit."

A book Kagome knew well, landed at Kurama's feet. "The stories are lies, Fox. Read that. It's in her handwriting. I found it last night. I think you will be very interested in what it says you should read it too Yuusuke," Hiei said before he stormed out of the room.

Kurama picked up the worn journal and opened the cover. "I thought I would keep track of my adventures here in this journal so that one day I can tell my story to my children if I have some." He read aloud. "I suppose I should begin at the beginning it all started on my fifteenth birthday…"

Yuusuke picked up reading after a time and Kurama cleaned up the breakfast and did the dishes. Kagome offered through gestures, but he declined. After the kitchen was clean both he and Yuusuke went and got dressed for the day. Then they resumed reading aloud for several hours before Kagome got up to make lunch. He and Yuusuke shared a look as they read her account of the attempt to kill her by Kikyo the dead priestess. Kurama had the feeling that Kagome had not wished to remember certain things she had written about at that time.

As they continued to read the more they began to understand why Hiei had said the legends were lies. Kagome was more than the legends had said; she was amazing in every way possible. Although they could not say the same for the male named Inuyasha. He seemed like a fool to both of them. What male would have difficulty choosing between the dead and the living? Especially when the living was Kagome? It was unthinkable that anyone would choose anything or anyone over the priestess who had fallen literally into their lives and they had known her less than a day. Inuyasha traveled with her for years and he had treated her so badly and yet she –

"I loved him. I loved Inuyasha and it hurt to think that he only saw her when he looked at me. It was worse watching him run after her the day after Naraku had turned the windscar on him. He told us that Kikyo had given him the shards she stole from me. To think she wished Inuyasha dead after everything they had gone through already, but he still defended her from all of us."

Yuusuke held up his hands, "no more Kurama. I feel like we are intruding on her personal life and I can see that she is hurting- to hear all of this now that one of her friends died. I want to know which one but I can't ask her."

"It was Inuyasha. He died defending Edo during his human night. He died in front of her bleeding to death in her arms. He wasn't just her friend either, it was two weeks before their wedding." Hiei said as he moved into the room and took a seat picking up a sandwich from the tray Kagome had brought in before she secluded herself into the room she had slept in the night before.

"Oh Inari, I had no idea! Hearing his name over and over is probably killing her slowly and making her heart feel like its bleeding. You are right Yuusuke, hearing this is hurting her and I didn't see it. I think that we know what we need to about Kagome." He turned to the Mazoku, "Yuusuke why don't you go give the journal back to her and I will make some phone calls. Our priestess will need some new things. We certainly cannot let her go out in to the world alone now that we know what she is. To protect her we could say that she is a relative or cousin to one of us."

He paused to think. Yuusuke looked a lot like her but he did not think that anyone would buy him suddenly offering a home to a lost relative. "I suggest me. As it so happens my step brother's aunt gave up a child for adoption sixteen years ago so no one will think Kagome odd to be suddenly part of my family, even though she is nineteen she looks rather young. The Hatanaka side of my family is not well known so it should be fine. Whatever happens, Koenma must not discover her true identity. This is vital. As she is now Kagome would be a walking target. We will need to introduce her to all of our friends as my cousin. Hiei can implant a memory of meeting her into my family should we need though, I don't plan on her ever meeting my family. "

Hiei shook his head, he was certain this was not going to work very well. Kurama was acting strange. Why was he suddenly wanting her to be under one of his family names? "What about her appearance Fox, surely the Reikai has some sort of file on Kagome."

"Hey yeah, I forgot about that, good thinking." Yuusuke commentated.

"Yuusuke go get Kagome. We will need to explain everything to her. Meanwhile I will go get a few things at the store for her. I will be back try to explain things to her, alright you two?" Kurama didn't wait for a reply as he left swiftly leaving Hiei and Yuusuke staring at the closed door.

"So, Hiei do you get the same feeling that I do that Kurama is acting kind of weird?"

"hn, he is acting like a kitsune."

"What does that mean," Yuusuke asked turning towards the hiyoukai. He noticed that Hiei looked exhausted.

"It means, Yuusuke that we will have to watch him very closely. The Shikon no Tama is the ultimate jewel and I know a fox that would do anything to get his hands on it."

Yuusuke knocked uncertainly at her door and heard a sniff and the sound of a book shutting quickly. Her soft foot falls grew closer to the door and the door opened slowly. Her wide cobalt eyes looked at him curiously as if asking "What?" Yuusuke smiled at her. "Can I come in a sec, Kagome?"

She nodded and moved away from the door. "I came to give this back to you. I'm sorry we read it. I had no idea-, " he stopped from saying his name again. "Anyway we decided that the best way to help you is for you to live here permanently. Red- er Kurama came up with an idea to keep your identity a secret and I think you will like it. It's like this- Kurama has a human family and there he is Shuichii Minamino well two years ago his mom married this guy Hatanaka and he has a sister who gave up a kid for adoption sixteen years ago so it's perfect. You get to be Kagome Hatanaka, Shuichii's cousin. What do you think?"

Kagome blinked at all the information that had just been thrown her way. It was true that she would need an alias if she was to live her life anew and it certainly seemed like Shuichii or rather Kurama had all his ducks in a row on this. But even with a different name she still looked like Kagome Higurashi. Slowly she frowned as she looked pointedly at her reflection in the mirror above the desk. She had just gotten used to her appearance did she really want to be someone different? She shook her head.

"Yeah we thought about that too. Kurama ran to the store." Yuusuke said misreading her gaze in the mirror.

"I think I can help you in the appearance department if you are willing to take on the name change, Kagome." Kurama said as he walked into the room with a couple of paper sacks. He set them down on the desk and pulled out two small boxes from one, "Auburn red or blonde?" he asked.

Yuusuke scrunched his nose. "Red definitely blonde would look fake on her and she would look foreign too."

"I thought so too but I had to give her a choice. So Kagome which one do you like?"

Kagome walked over and picked up the box of red and looked at the color samples of what her hair would look like. She frowned deeper as she shook her head handing him the box. He smiled as he turned away missing her answer. ~none~

"Close your eyes a moment alright?" he asked. She shrugged and closed them. Kurama slid a pair of glasses on to her face and looked at her. "Ok you can open them again."

Yuusuke blinked and then blinked again. Damn she looked good! The glasses did a good job in changing her appearance and he figured the hair color would do the rest. Except- "hey Kurama how do we get past the knowing about youkai thing, there are bound to be questions."

~listen to me!~

Kurama tapped his chin and then grinned. "Simple we told her. She noticed something odd and we couldn't just shrug it off. Kagome is a very intelligent woman after all." He tapped her nose and smirked at the blush on her cheeks. So she liked compliments did she? He would remember that. "So then Kagome, shall we do your hair?"

~No!~ She shook her head again with a determined look on her face but Kurama again wasn't really focused on her but on what needed to be done and Yuusuke who sat down on the floor with his back against the bed to wait, had closed his eyes. Neither of them saw her actions.

Kurama pulled Kagome behind him and disappeared into the bathroom leaving the door open for ventilation. A moment later Kurama came out with a worried look on his face, he was muttering to himself about human misuse of toxic chemicals and Kagome's reaction.

~ugh~ Kagome went and opened her window to let fresh air flush out the chemical smell from the dye. The smell made her stomach roil and she had nearly gotten sick in front of Kurama. Turning Kagome moved over to where Yuusuke was and sat next to him. She leaned her shoulder against him and he smiled over at her. Her color looked a little better he could see the pink returning to her cheeks whereas before she had been pale and slightly green.

Hiei entered the room holding his nose. "What is the horrible stench and what do I have to kill to stop it."