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

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

Kagome's thoughts

'Other thoughts'

'Hiei's thoughts'

*Kurama's thoughts*

Chapter 4

"What!? How? She asked startled while trying to process. The only mark he could mean was a mating mark meaning they were essentially married in youkai custom.

"Our second coupling, I lost control for a mere instant. As to how, it is nothing like you are thinking; I did bite you but if my bite alone could mark you your body would have been marked excessively. My jyaki branded you. Before you ask, it cannot be undone."

Her eyes alone told him what emotions she might have been feeling as she rapidly went from shock to anger and then from anger to sorrow and finally a sad sort of acceptance. "So that's the only reason you are here?"

"No."

Kagome looked up at him as she had looked down after asking her question. "No? What else?"

"I wanted to tell you- I'm not contented with how it happened but I will try to be a good sodalis vitae."

"Sodalis vitae? What is that?"

"In your human words a spouse or perhaps you prefer the term mate."

"But you don't love me or want me- for more than sex." He winced at her tone so flat and empty. He wanted her to smile again he'd found that he liked that look better than this dejected one.

"Sex is hollow without the love that is what you thought before, so show me." Hiei said slowly.

"You mean teach you how to love?" Kagome looked at him in surprise she had never expected him to ask that of her. Everything she thought she knew of Hiei was changing.

"Yes. How you need to be loved." The words were foreign to his lips but he found they formed easily enough. Kurama had said to be considerate of her feelings and though he was unused to doing so Kagome was responding. The thought of having her teach him how to love her was not as repulsive as he'd thought. But he'd meant what he'd said and would not go back on it now. "How do I start?"

"First lets be friends we can start with you using my name."

"Very well Kagome. What next?"

"Respect mutually."

"And?" Hiei asked tilting his head to the side slightly.

"Trust," Kagome said softly. "Without trust there can be no love Hiei."

"hn," He agreed.

"Communication, 'hn' doesn't tell me much. You need to talk to me. I can tell from how you are in normal life that you don't talk much and that is alright as long as you can talk to me while we are alone. However it goes two ways you have to listen too. Sometimes you might have to wait for me to tell you how I feel and using the Jagan to read my mind is a no," she said holding up her pointer finger. "I don't have mind reading abilities so it wouldn't really be fair in a relationship. "

"Would you like such a connection to me?" he asked, thoughtfully hesitant as he considered the idea.

Kagome frowned touching her forehead "You can do that! I don't have to get my own Jagan, do I?"

"I do not recommend getting the Jagan, Kagome." Hiei frowned at the very idea of her in Shigure's sadistic hands before refocusing on the matter at hand, "a two way connection is possible. My mark connects us; the rest only requires a small adjustment."

"Will it hurt?"

"It may, but only a small amount; mostly it will be pressure for a moment. You will need to suppress your power as the Jagan will fight them and that could be hazardous to your mind. "

Kagome closed her eyes not really knowing if it was necessary or not and reached out for Hiei's hand. "I trust you," she whispered as he took her hand and she felt the space they were in shatter. His presence was gone from within her mind and she winced as the pressure began to build. Gritting her teeth she held back her power with everything she had. Darkness surrounded her again but she was alone and yet not alone.

She could feel him. Just for a moment she felt a much darker sensation than Hiei had ever been brush through her senses but it was gone before she could identify it. Her mind was suddenly filled with nearly indescribable sensations that she struggled to place-

Pain: a never ending feeling aching deep within his soul. A deep sense of loss, bitterness and sorrow, her eyes pricked with tears.

Fire: his main element burning deep inside his soul and spreading like molten crimson through his veins.

Control: his core constant.

Darkness: all encompassing and living within his soul shifting its golden eyes upon her from within his mind.

'Can you hear me clearly?' his voice slid through her mind causing a shiver of pleasure. 'Apparently you enjoyed that, Kagome? He chuckled darkly as she shivered again.

It didn't hurt at all except the pain you carry. How do you stand it? She asked ignoring the pleasure.

'How do you?' he asked back.

I guess I think of the reasons behind it and then focus on others happiness first.

'What about your own, Kagome?'

What is that thing that keeps staring at me like I'm lunch? Kagome asked ignoring the question. He chuckled softly.

'A dragon, I devoured the dragon I summoned from hell and we became one. True pyromancy at mastery level is the only thing that can safely summon the Dragon of darkness; I was rather desperate and determined. I mastered it in days rather than years.'

Ok, so it's a dragon but why does it look like it's going to eat me? She squeaked as it slithered closer.

'The dragon is drawn to your purity and entranced by the taint upon it.'

What taint? She wondered thoughtfully. She didn't feel anything different about herself except now that she knew what it was she could feel his mark upon her.

'Something has sullied your soul. The dragon is drawn to that which darkens your purity.'

The dragon slithered closer its eyes fixed upon her hungrily. Is it going to eat me then? She asked nervously edging back from it.

'No' his voice was amused.

Kagome could feel the laughter rumble through her head. Ok that's a little strange.

'What is?' he sounded and felt amused.

Hearing you laugh. I like it though.

'Wake up.'

If I do, will this all be a dream? Will everything still be the same?

Hiei was silent for a moment before his voice came again softer than before 'do you wish it to have been a dream?'

No, I think I would be sad to know it was.

'Wake up, Kagome.'

As she regained consciousness the first thing she was aware of was warmth a soothing comforting feeling of someone beside her. The second was the steady whoosh of air going in and out of that person's lungs. Third was the scent of his skin, lightly smelling of burnt cinnamon and another spice that was all male. With her eyes closed she sighed before hesitantly calling him through her mind hoping that it had not been only a dream. Hiei?

There was a brush of energy a crossed her mind and she literally held her breath waiting. 'Kagome, it was not a dream. I used the Jagan to communicate directly with your mind. The connection was real; reach your thoughts out to mine.' Her thoughts brushed his eagerly and she gasped as all his thoughts hit her like a thousand memories and feelings all at once. It could easily be compared to water with the way she felt as though she were drowning. 'Slowly, reach out slowly. You are far too new at telepathy to handle everything at once.' He cautioned using his energy to keep her from being washed away and to guide her newly formed connection to him to a slower trickle instead of the rush she had gotten. 'Can you sense me without being overwhelmed now?'

Kagome cautiously let her thoughts brush his again slower than the last time and found that the experience was strange but also oddly comfortable, his mind was completely open to her and she could hear nearly every thought and feel a muted sense of his feelings. His feeling of hesitancy made her pause. Before she could ask the answer was there. 'I must trust you implicitly to open myself this way through the Jagan. Trust has never come easily for me. My every thought is yours to hear and my every sensation you can feel. I have never felt so –'

Vulnerable? I know the feeling now it's like we share one mind. It's a little disorienting. I won't be looking through your eyes will I?

'No, that would require a different connection. All you have are my thoughts and feelings. Breathe Kagome.'

Kagome drew in a much needed breath and sat up opening her eyes already aware he was lying beside her. She stretched her arms above her head and gasped as his thoughts hit her like a freight train. Desire rushed through her veins like molten fire and she realized that the feeling came from him. Memories accompanied the desire and she felt her body tingle with the intensity of the phantom touches of her own memories. Beside her he shuddered as her desire echoed back building the tension between them as back and forth the desire burned building in intensity as each experienced the sensation. She was aching for him to physically touch her to the point it was an exquisite pain. She felt like she was stretched like a wire; and that with a single touch she would shatter into a thousand pieces.

Hiei's thoughts were similar but his desire had become a veritable inferno. He had to touch her. To brand her with his hands and consume her utterly till the fire could be contained no more. The moment his hand touched her skin she came undone driving him to blissful oblivion as they were lost within each other and the glorious passion that erased the lines between them as they became one.

It was an experience neither was truly ready for. It was too raw and too intimate for two who had barely begun to understand each other and to reach a possibility of friendship. Still it was something they both accepted as impossible to deny with the connection they had now. It like everything else would have to be mastered and restrained with self control.

Hiei who thrived by his self control would have to teach her the same. It was a part of himself he'd never understood before now. He was a hiyoukai and that meant not just a pyro master for weapons but it made him far more passionate and fierce. Had she been on the receiving end of his passion like the flood of his thoughts before he minimized the connection, she would have been burned to ash. Fortunately his Jagan gave him the power, even in the mindless passion they'd been lost in, to hold back enough to keep her safe. His dual birth also shielded her from the peak of his intensity dulling his fire by just enough. Still the danger was real and Hiei realized that he, for once, was grateful for the ice maiden who birthed him and for the sentient third eye which protected him and her.

Beside him Kagome's thoughts were blissfully blank and he turned to see her watching him. Words could not have expressed the experience and she sighed looking at him with new eyes. I think I'm addicted to you. She blushed and turned her face into the pillow to hide her embarrassment at the thought. This connection would take some time to get used to. There might one day be no embarrassment as such thoughts surfaced but for now it was awkward and she hid from his eyes.

'I do not mind the idea.' His voice was again amused as it slid through her thoughts like black silk bringing with them another flicker of desire.

I don't think I'm ready to be so completely open with all my thoughts and feelings yet, Hiei. It's too much too soon. I like being able to communicate but knowing your every thought is mine and my thought is yours is too intimate at the level we are now. Can we slow things down a little?

'Yes, I can make the connection allow only communication and not all thoughts or sensations as of yet. Close your eyes a moment.'

Kagome did as told after rolling back over and facing him. His fingertips lightly rested upon her brow over her 'third eye' chakra. She felt a sudden relief of a pressure she had not been aware of till it was gone. She could still feel his presence but it was as though a screen had been placed to separate them. The sense of him was muted and all she could detect of his thoughts were not nearly so raw. 'Better?'

Yes. Much better, she sighed relaxing now that her mind was somewhat her own again.

'I did not realize the strain such a connection was placing on you.' It was as close to an apology as he had come and Kagome smiled at him in understanding. Sitting up once more she slid out of the bed walking gingerly as her body ached. Guilt colored his thoughts unfamiliarly, as he stood and scooped her off her feet carrying her to the bathtub. Setting her down next to it he turned on the faucet and adjusted the temperature.

It was a kindness Kagome would never have thought to receive from him until learning who he really was. Suddenly the idea of being his mate didn't feel so heavy. If they could be friends then it wouldn't be bad at all. He turned the shower on and quickly cleansed himself using his jyaki to dry himself before he left her to bathe. The sleep he'd placed on the temple grounds was wearing off and he did not want to answer unwelcome questions as to why he was in Kagome's room with her. Dressing quickly he slipped out the window as Yusuke knocked at the door.

"Kagome? You alright," he asked as a soft splash stopped his hand on the door handle. If she was up bathing she was likely just fine and he could ask her when she finished. Turning around he found himself face to face with the most irritable of his friends. "Hey, three eyes don't do that! I hate it when you just appear."

"It is not my fault you lack the ability to sense my energy, Detective."

"If you weren't so sneaky and quiet I'd find you just fine!" Yusuke complained pushing past him and gesturing with his thumb "When she finishes her bath tell her to meet me in the kitchen, you come too."

"I am neither your messenger nor your lap dog to call as you please Yusuke."

"I know that, what crawled up your ass, three eyes?"

"Humph. Nothing." He rolled his eyes at the Mazoku but the gesture was meant for the mental picture of him as a dog that his Miko thought of. The image was complete with his hair and a collar with a name tag. She giggled.

"Yusuke, Hiei why are you both standing in the hallway arguing? Kagome will need food and quiet to recover fully." Kurama chided wiping his hands on a towel as he ushered them towards the kitchen and dining room.

"Jolly Mr. Sunshine here was being his cheerful self." Yusuke said as he moved past them both grumbling under his breath.

Kurama shook his head at the Detective covering his own chuckle by clearing his throat. "So how was your night?"

"Peachy." Hiei retorted ignoring the laughter rippling through his telepathic link. Apparently Kagome had been amused by Yusuke's creative insult as well. It was hard to keep a straight face while listening to her laugh so freely. 'Stop laughing Kagome, if I start laughing at nothing they'll think the world is ending or some such ridiculous notion.'

Wow, really? You need to lighten up Hiei she teased.

'I could always reestablish the full connection.' Hiei growled enjoying the way he knew she had shuddered.

N-No I will be good. She stammered as his words washed through her.

'Your word?' He gritted his teeth.

Well…she chuckled coyly

'Kagome…'the tone held promise as well as a warning.

Okay, Okay I give you my word…

'Good. '

For now…

Something of his amusement must have shown in his eyes for Kurama stepped closer and placed a hand on his forehead. "Are you well Hiei? You haven't eaten any strange things from the Makai again have you?"

Unbidden the memory of Shippo feeding him a laughing mushroom came to his mind. He heard her choke, splutter and then full peals of laughter rang through his head and his ears as he saw himself rolling on the ground laughing; the effect of the mushroom. S-stop! I-I can't brea- I'm going to drown! Ha ha Hee Hee, ow! It hurts! I can't believe you ate- the mushroom! Ha ha!

An image of her eating the same kind of mushroom came to his mind and the sight of her rolling holding her stomach as tears of mirth ran down her cheeks proved too much. He left gritting his teeth on the laughter. 'Damn it! Kagome now Kurama will think I've lost my mind!'

You have! To me! I'm sorry it's just so different to see you laugh so hard. If you hadn't thought of the memory I wouldn't have lost it! She said still giggling with him but not as hard.She cleared her throat or at least tried to before another burst of giggles surfaced and Hiei put his head in his hand as he sat in the top of a tree.

'Are you always this way?'

Sometimes; I love to laugh. I find it very stress relieving to let go with a good laugh. Do you ever 'let go' Hiei?

'Not usually.' He replied not bothering to hide the wry smirk on his lips.

That's too bad, you have a great laugh.

'I do?'

Uh huh. I think if you don't use it more I might have to see if youkai are ticklish…

'Kagome…that would not be in your best interest.'

Ow! Stupid bucket. Uh oh, Hiei stop Kurama! I tripped and fell but I'm naked! Oh crap. Oh crap! He's coming in what do I do?! She was panicking as she watched the handle turn from where she'd landed on the rug in her bedroom. Frozen where she lay she closed her eyes hoping that from how she lay he would see anything.

Hiei had not intended for her to know of his telepathic link to Kurama nor Kurama to know of Kagome's to him but he was too far to do anything else so he opened the link to Kurama forgetting to block out Kagome. 'Opening that door would be unwise fox.'

Eh? Kagome squeaked.

*It sounded like Kagome fell I was going to check on her Hiei, since you left.* the soothing tone of Kurama's thoughts eased through Hiei's mind though he was anything but soothed.

Kurama? Kagome asked curiously recognizing the voice.

*Kagome?* Kurama questioned surprised to hear a female voice in Hiei's mind.

'Damn.' Hiei cursed as he entered through the window of Kagome's room and frowned at her before helping her to her feet and snatching the towel from the rack on which it hung. Quickly he tossed it to her before slipping back out.

We just need Yusuke and it's a full party! Kagome quipped.

*Yusuke has no telepathic ability. But I see what was ailing you Hiei.* Kurama said laughing softly.

'Shut up Kurama.' Hiei snapped off the connection to the kitsune roughly hoping he got a headache from the action. As he walked to the kitchen he noticed Kurama rubbing his temples and his lip curled slightly. 'Serves him right,' he thought smugly.

Kagome opened the door and headed to the kitchen a small backpack on her shoulder. Over her left shoulder was her quiver bristling with arrows and in her hand the bow she'd selected. The weapons seemed slightly out of place with her jeans and red t-shirt. She gave them all a bright smile before walking into the kitchen. "Yusuke is waiting right? Must be about that mission we put off yesterday I'm all ready to go when he says the word."

"Great. This client was a little put out when I told them we hadn't found his girlfriends ring." Yusuke said as he stuck his head through the doorway and gave her a smile. "I was worried, yesterday was reckless kid. Let not pull any more stunts that could kill you 'kay?" he said lightly as she followed him out the door.

Kagome shuffled her feet hanging her head as she looked at the ground. "I'm sorry. He's my brother so I had to try!"

Yusuke stopped and set his hand on the top of her head ruffling her hair to bug her. "I didn't say it wasn't the most awe inspiring thing I've seen I said it was reckless. But I can't be mad at you cause that would be the kettle calling the pot black. I'm not exactly cautious myself but yours took the cake. I thought you'd die on us."

"I guess I lucked out this time eh?" Kagome replied cheerfully as she tried moving Yusuke's hand but it was difficult with only one hand free.

Yusuke raised an eyebrow, "and-"

"I can't promise you I won't do it again. I can't ignore a friend in need" her voice lowered "I just can't it goes against everything I am." She could feel Hiei's eyes boring into her back and hear his displeasured comments in her mind but he knew as she did that she spoke the truth.

"Can't blame you for that, just be careful alright? I don't want to have to bang down Koenma's door to get you back."

'As if he'd get the chance, he'd have to get in line.' Hiei muttered angrily.

Kagome had the feeling she had missed something but brushed it off by stating "our client is human." Yusuke turned slowly with a curious look on his face.

"How do you know, kid?"

Ugh 'kid' really? That's a first. "Could we skip the nick name and go with Kagome? I knew because youkai don't exchange rings." She shrugged shifting her backpack.

Yusuke looked at her funny casting a glance at Kurama who shrugged. "Where did you learn about youkai Kagome?" he asked turning to walk again leading the way to the beach not too far from the temple.

"The custom of giving rings originated with youkai. Of course it was originally a means of showing status but it became a common thing for lovers to give their chosen as a means of setting themselves apart. A feast of some sort was given to the couple and rings exchanged in the public setting. The ring was worn on the middle finger of the left hand to symbolize the ring did not unbalance the relationship but centered it." Kurama explained while casting a glance at Hiei and then Yusuke.

Hiei did you know? Why didn't you tell me? Kagome asked frantically feeling her cheeks burning.

'I was not aware of it; I was never part of the inner workings of youkai society Kagome. They feared me for my dual nature.'

That's no help! "I uh- I live on a shrine, yeah and we have scrolls," she fidgeted nervously with the strap of her quiver. "Lots of old- like really old scrolls."

'Tell them the truth Kagome. You can trust them besides you obviously can't lie.'

Kagome sighed as she looked up at the blue sky and white clouds. "Well that isn't exactly true. I haven't been completely honest." Kagome swallowed, "My name is Kagome Higurashi and I am –was the Shikon no Miko."

A gasp came from Kurama as he seemed to stumble over a rock on the path. Hiei moved to her other side and walked quietly beside her. Silently he encouraged her to continue. It was high time she receive the respect she deserved. "The legend-it's true?" the avatar whispered.

"Legend?" she scoffed. "Hardly, unless a fifteen year old girl falling through time and shattering a one of a kind artifact causing the deaths of thousands is legendary." Her voice hardened, "Sometimes I wonder if I had never fallen through the time slip, if the jewel had never been ripped from my body; would those thousands have lived long lives? Aged, had children or offspring? Would everything be different or was my journey fated to occur? Would my life be easier or harder? Would youkai still roam freely?" They had reached the beach and she dropped her bag and weapons on the sand. Turning her back she pulled her t-shirt over her head and dropped it on her bag before wriggling out of her jeans and turning to face them.

"What are you talking about Kagome, what is this jewel? What are you?" Yusuke asked having already stripped out of his clothes to his swimming shorts. He was trying to keep his eyes on her face though she was showing a delightful amount of creamy skin. Now that she was no longer hidden by her hair he could see the way her simple blue and white swimming suit clung to her curves accenting them nicely. Hiei was staring too though not at Kagome but at himself with murder in his eyes. Wisely he looked away.

She sat down on the towel she'd brought, drawing her knees to her chest and resting her chin on her arms. Her eyes became unfocused as she seemed to look into her past. Hiei knew she was for she was reliving all of her memories both good and bad. Around her the guys sat down too watching her intently.

"I am human; Yusuke or I was; now I think I am more a monster. When I was fifteen I was a normal girl, I went to school I had friends who were constantly trying to push me to date this guy or another but I had a normal life. I knew nothing of violence but what was on TV, same with youkai and creatures that could only live, I thought, in nightmares."Kagome closed her eyes remembering.

"On the day of my fifteenth birthday the world as I knew it changed forever. I was pulled down the bone eaters well by Mistress Centipede who was looking for a jewel of such power it could make a youkai strength and power increase exponentially or so was the claim. It could also grant the owner a wish. She took me as I later discovered because the jewel was within my body…"

Kurama's eyes didn't leave her face as he leaned in to listen intently. Yusuke leaned back relaxing as he listened and Hiei kept his presence close within her mind as she recounted her adventures stopping only long enough to accomplish their mission and to pull her long t-shirt over her for modesty. On through the day and into the night she told her story. Every so often Kurama would get up to get her a drink or to fix a simple meal as she continued. Hiei noticed that as much as she was able she did not mention her relationship with Inuyasha or with Kikyo except in passing. That was fine by him for he had seen all of it in her memories and frankly did not wish to see or hear it again.

Kagome spoke till she was nearly falling asleep and yet she had yet to finish her tale. Hiei stood up and pulled her to her feet. "Enough onna, you can tell us the rest tomorrow. Your words are slurring and you are repeating yourself. Go to bed." Her exhaustion won out and she collapsed into Hiei's arms. Ignoring the looks he was receiving he slipped his arm beneath her knees and scooped her into his arms carrying her from the room. She was asleep before he reached the hall. Carefully he put her to bed not bothering to change her out of her long since dry suit.

"I now know why Genkai sent her to us. Kagome has probably more enemies than the three of us combined. If she still possesses the Shikon jewel then she will be in danger. You know this means that you can no longer take her to the Makai Yusuke. It isn't safe. I'm not certain she should be a detective either." He leaned forward lowering his voice. "If she is responsible as she claims for thousands of deaths the Reikai will be looking for her and her display yesterday was likely a beacon to her location."

Yusuke frowned his eyes narrowing at the table where he tapped his finger on the edge of his empty coffee cup, "She can't go home can she."

Kurama sighed setting his tea cup on the table "unfortunately no, if she sets foot in Tokyo the Reikai will capture her. They will try her unfairly and she will be executed-"

"And I will burn the Reikai to ashes if they touch her." Hiei vowed dangerously.

"I thought you hated her three eyes," the Mazoku asked puzzled at Hiei's change of attitude. He hadn't seen Hiei eyeing her at the beach and had assumed that his indifference meant his dislike. He couldn't understand though why. Kagome was hot with a nice helping of sweetness and enough spice to keep it interesting.

"You were mistaken, I hated the Miko." Hiei said with firm conviction. Turning to Kurama he opened the telepathic link. 'Where can I procure a ring for Kagome?'

*You wish to make it official then? Very well Hiei I will help you. Will you tell Yusuke?*

'Might as well he will find out one way or another. It would be regrettable should he learn it at an inconvenient time.'

*I quite understand.*

Hiei stood and looked down his nose at the Detective adopting his fiercest glare. "One cannot easily despise their sodalis vitae-or soul-mate Yusuke. I do not hate Kagome. "

"Wait, Kagome is your soul-mate?" he stumbled over the unfamiliar words searching for a human equivalent to fill the gap "as in your wife? You are married, when did that happen? I think I must be sick and having hallucinations." He tried to remember any signs that Hiei had shown that Kagome was his and came up only with the fierce glare he'd gotten at the beach while ogling Kagome. No wonder he'd been so furious.

Hiei grit his teeth as he clenched his fist. "Kagome is my wife if that is how you wish to word it. There has been no official marriage but that will be corrected. Regardless she is mine. I will not let anyone harm her; not possible enemies nor the Reikai."

"Okay," Yusuke jumped to his feet and put his hand on Hiei's shoulder "If she is your wife then I will protect you both. No worries, I got your back, right Hiei?" he held up his fingers in the shape of his Rei Gun mining shooting it with a wink. "Oh hey, shouldn't you be going to bed with her? Isn't right for a new wife to sleep alone you know?" The Mazoku grinned shoving him towards the hall. Waiting until Hiei was out of sight and he heard the bedroom door close, Yusuke turned to Kurama worriedly "This complicates things doesn't it?"

"Exponentially, however with Hiei as her husband or mate however you wish to word it; the Reikai will think twice about incurring his wrath that buys us some time. We have to know if Kagome still has the jewel Yusuke. Everything rests on her answer."