Disclaimer: Oh, how I tire of repetition

"talking"

'thinking'

Chapter VII: Exposed

-o-o-o-

He stood on the rooftop overlooking the sleeping town, thinking about the day's events.

He hadn't expected her to sense him. That was definitely anticipated.

No one can ever tell when he's nearby unless her wants them to sense him, he's the master of stealth. In fact, back in Gotei 13 he could slip into Squad Two's grounds without being detected.

But she caught him.

Gin grinned as he thought about the unusual woman.

'I was right. Yer not a regular human, are ya Kagome-chan?'

In a way it was thrilling, she presented a challenge; a puzzle to figure out.

'And I love puzzles.'

The wind gently blew his hair back and forth, the silver-purple locks half covering his creased eyes.

'I kinda hope yer not needed in the war Kagome-chan. I'd hate ta give ya up to Aizen-sama, especially when I called dibs.'

He tilted his head up toward the moon, allowing it to shine on his face.

Aizen was his captain back in Squad Five, and he still considers the man as his leader. When Soul Society learned of their betrayal, it shook them to their core.

He can still see the hurt in Rangiku's eyes, and he felt sorry for doing this to her. She's been his best friend since that day he found her laying on the ground, but this is beyond that.

Gin made a promise to himself though; he would make sure she doesn't get caught in the crossfire. It's the least he could do.

His thoughts wandered back to the black haired female that caught everyone's interest.

He smirked.

'I wonder who ya are Kagome-chan. I wanna know,'

And what Gin Ichimaru wants, Gin Ichimaru gets.

-o-o-o-

Next Day

-o-o-o-

"Please, come in."

Urahara ushered her into the store, leading her into the back room where they could talk in private.

Kagome didn't know why she was there again; all she knew was that the man had called her asking for her time on an important matter.

He gestured toward the desk and chairs, telling her to sit down.

She took a seat, watching him curiously as he sat across from her.

He didn't say anything for a while; mostly he looked as though he didn't know where to begin.

Finally he broke the tension.

"I know you want to know why I asked you to come here, but first I need your word that you will listen to everything I say before you storm out."

Kagome narrowed her eyes at the man suspiciously. Obviously they were about to breach a subject she didn't want to cross.

"Is this necessary?" she asked.

Kisuke sighed and rubbed his eyes.

"I wish it wasn't." he mumbled.

After another silent moment he looked at her.

"I know who you are," he said quietly.

All of the air in the room seems to stand still.

"What do you mean?" she ventured cautiously.

"I mean that you, Kagome Higurashi, are the legendary Shikon no Miko."

In a flash he was out of his seat, pressed against the wall with a knife at his throat.

Kagome used one hand to pin Urahara down and the other to swap her small knife for her sword at lightning speed.

He didn't struggle against her tight hold, but he wiggled slightly as the blade pushed deeper into his throat. A trickle of warm blood slid down passed his collarbone. He voice brought his eyes to meet hers.

Her brown eyes were hard and glinting, her brows furrowed and mouth twisted in a snarl.

'Well, this could have gone better,' he thought.

"Who are you?" growled Kagome.

No one in this time should know who she is. Even if she is in books and museums, no one should be able to pinpoint her of all people as the girl from the past. This could only mean one thing…he has a connection to her.

She watched as he squirmed, but he didn't fight her.

"Listen to me," he rasped, "I'm not your enemy. Just hear me out, you need to."

She sifted through his words and looked at him intently, trying to find any hint of deceit.

Not finding any she let him go and took one step back, but not lowering her weapon.

"You will speak. You will explain. Do you understand?" she told him coldly.

He nodded and straightened his lopsided hat.

"Hai. But you must understand something as well first," he said, his voice still slightly hoarse.

"What?" she bit out.

"From this point on you will no longer remain ignorant. There's no going back now."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

Urahara regained his composure, his tone losing all softness.

"You've become too entangled with our affairs. By coming here, especially being who you are, you can't just walk away. It can't be helped Higurashi, you've gotten involved, whether you like it or not."

His words didn't register at first, but slowly they began to sink in. He watched as her faced gradually changed from anger, to confusion, to shock, and then to horror.

Her breath caught in her throat. She knew what he meant.

Kagome backed away rapidly, shaking her head. Disbelief and panic ran through her veins, filling every pore of her body with a stinging iciness.

'Please, Kami, not again.'

She could feel the shaking coming back, but this time she couldn't will it to stop.

'No. I won't. I can't.'

She saw Urahara step closer, concern etched on his face as reached toward her.

"Higurashi, are you okay?"

His voice seemed far away, dark spots flashed in front of her eyes as the room began to spin. The last thing she saw was Urahara leaping forward to catch her limp body.

-o-o-o-

The room was eerily quiet; the only thing heard was the constant tick-tock of the clock on the wall.

The silent girl sat on the floor, her knees drawn tightly to her chest.

When she came back to consciousness, Urahara had given her some calming tea and began to explain. She didn't want to hear it, but she didn't have a choice. It took four hours and twenty-seven minutes of endurance.

He told her what she needed to hear, from the minor background details to the major frontline ones.

Maybe she should have been shocked, or at least freaked out, but at this point all she felt was numbness.

It wasn't just the fact that she was friends with Ichigo's group, or the fact she had fought a Hollow. No, when it came down to the bottom of things there was only one reason; the same reason that made her life a mess in the first place:

The Shikon no Tama.

Having it in her possession especially in a place like Karakura Town is dangerous, not only to herself and the shinigami, but to her family as well.

This is the central point of the war now and if the enemy found out who she is…they would stop at nothing to use her. All hell would break loose.

Urahara told her that by now knowing this didn't mean he expected her to start fighting with them. He told her so she would be aware. So she'd be safe.

Kagome couldn't really say anything throughout the entire explanation, he throat had closed up and her tongue felt like lead. Finally she managed to ask one question.

"Does anyone else know?"

Kisuke shook his head.

"No. I'm the only one, and it'll stay that way unless you decide to tell the others or unless it's necessary."

She gave a tiny nod and shakily rose to her feet.

"I should be going now," she said.

Urahara nodded, watching her closely. Her voice had become devoid of any emotion. He glanced at her eyes and hid a flinch.

The were and empty dark brown.

There wasn't anything else he could do but watch as she moved jerkily out of the shop.

Urahara took of his hat and sighed. She looked like a corpse, and he couldn't help but feel like her assassinator.

-o-o-o-

The world seems so flat. She didn't really pay any attention as she walked.

Every part of her body had a stiff plastic-like feel.

There was a buzzing in her ear that wouldn't go away.

'Why?'

It was the only thing she could ask herself. Why did this have to happen to her? Why did she fall down the well? Why did the break the tama? Why did she have to be the one to kill Naraku? Why did she kill that Hollow? Why did she come here today?

'Why am I still alive?'

Her heart hurt. So much pain. There's nothing but pain anymore.

She looked up, not realizing she had already arrived in front of her house.

Stepping in front of the door she wondered how she was supposed to tell her mom. For four years she'd put her mother through nonstop worry. They thought it was all over when she came back. How could she just randomly tell her that once again her life could be on the line?

Digging the key out of her pocket, she opened the door with erratic movements and slipped inside.

"Kagome, is that you? It's so late, I didn't even know where you were and you left your phone on your bed," Misora called as she came down the hallway.

"Kagome?"

Misora stopped with a jerk as she caught sight of her daughter.

"Oh goodness, dear what's wrong? You're so pale, and you're shaking! Kagome, what happened?" she asked frantically.

Kagome looked at her, her throat clenching.

"Mama," she croaked.

She couldn't support herself anymore, she leaned her body against the closed door as she slid to the floor.

"Mama, please…please don't hate me," she whispered.

-o-o-o-

Author's Note

Greetings from overseas! Firstly, sorry I haven't updated in so long, but I have a valid reason! I'm currently on vacation, but I decided to volunteer some of my time in Japan and help with disaster relief. I'm swamped in so much stuff (and a lot of it includes paperwork and rubble) lol.

Here's the next chapter, I'll try to update the next time I get a break. Don't throw anything at me; the long gap in update is for a good cause! :)

Review please, they make me happy

ja ne!