Title: Secrets
Author: inuyashagirl5
Rating: T
Genre:Adventure/Romance
Pairing: Kagome/Yusuke
Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha or Yu Yu Hakusho. InuYasha is owned by Rumiko Takahashi and Yu Yu Hakusho is owned by Yoshihiro Togashi. I make no money from this at all.
A/N: Fic Edited On: 2-7-08
Chapter Seven: A Bit of Yusuke's Secret Revealed
He was in a daze as his body floated through the warm, blue glow. The portal had accepted him because in his arms he held Kagome. He glanced over at the quiet girl in his arms and couldn't help but to admire how beautiful she looked in the portal's soft glow. His eyes met with hers and she scowled.
'Oh shit. She looks pissed.' He swallowed hard and flinched when Kagome snapped her head away from him. 'Maybe this was a bad idea.'
When the glow subsided, Yusuke found himself sitting in the bottom of the well. Kagome shifted and he released her so she could stand. She gave him a long, hard glare before pointing to the vines growing on the side of the well. Taking the hint, he climbed out with Kagome right behind him.
He took in the sights around him, amazed at how different the place was from his time. The air was certainly cleaner and as he looked up into the night sky, he swore he could see every single star in the universe. He gasped openly. He had never seen that many stars in his entire life.
"It's beautiful, huh?" Kagome's voice was soft and gentle, "Nothing like what we're used to."
"Yeah, I've never seen anything like it." His eyes hadn't left the stars. He just couldn't pull them away.
Kagome wanted to stay mad at him, hell, he had no right to follow her, but after seeing his reaction to the place, she couldn't stay mad. She had felt the same way when she first got the chance to actually pay attention to the surroundings. Now she wasn't the only person from her era that got to see how beautiful their home used to be.
Her only worry now was facing InuYasha while Yusuke was with her. She knew he would be infuriated and his blame would be placed solely on her. She'd just have to say the word if his anger got too out of control and if he decided to lash out at Yusuke.
"Come on. We should get to the village. It's not wise to lurk around InuYasha's forest at night." Kagome started for the path to the village.
"InuYasha's forest? Does he own it?"
"It was called InuYasha's forest because it was where he was kept for the fifty years he was sealed to the Goshinboku." Kagome pointed to largest tree in the forest and Yusuke gasped as he recognized it.
"That's the same tree in your yard! I had no idea how old that tree was!"
"Yes, this is where my house will lie five hundred years from now."
"That's incredible, Kagome."
"Yeah, it is pretty cool I guess." She nodded, "Come on. InuYasha's gonna be pretty mad at me for this, so it's best we hurry and drop Shippo off. InuYasha won't trust you so it's likely he'll accompany us back."
"I guess I'm gonna have to prove myself to all of you. I'm more than capable of protecting you on my own." He crossed his arms over his chest. To hell with InuYasha. He didn't need that mutt's approval. All he needed was Kagome's trust and he was sure with a little more time that goal would be achieved.
"Great. Another over confident, over protective male. That's the last thing I need." Kagome muttered as she walked on. Yusuke stopped briefly to stare at her back. Shippo's little head poked out of her backpack, his little tongue sticking out taunting Yusuke.
"It's not like that." Yusuke glared at Shippo before he caught up to Kagome, "What I meant is that I'm not weak. I can handle my own against strong demons."
"That's good to know." Kagome replied nonchalantly, "You'll be most helpful if we run into a demon before we reach the village."
"You're still mad at me, aren't you?"
"No, well, I am annoyed with you, but I'm not really mad. You didn't have the right to touch me like that, let alone follow me here. You could have hurt yourself and you could have hurt Shippo. I would never have forgiven you if something bad had happened." Kagome stopped and turned to him, "You need to be less reckless, Yusuke. You should try thinking before acting."
"Yeah, well, thinking things through isn't a strong point of mine."
"That's obvious." Shippo scurried to Kagome's shoulder when Yusuke waved his fist in the little kit's face.
"I'm more of a charge in head first and worry about the consequences after kind of guy." Yusuke finished explaining as he continued to glare at Shippo who was clinging to Kagome's head.
"I guess we have another InuYasha on our hands, Shippo." Kagome let out a soft sigh, "I just hope his friends aren't like that too."
oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
"He's not expecting us." Hiei spoke quietly to Kurama who nodded his head in agreement.
"But we have to inform him on Yusuke's journey." Kurama didn't bother to knock on Koenma's office door and just shoved the massive doors open. Koenma, who was back in his toddler form, looked up at them as they entered. His eyes narrowed.
"What are you two doing here? Are Yusuke and Kuwabara watching the shrine?" Koenma's eyes passed over both of them and frowned after being unable to read their expressions, "Well?"
Hiei took to the window in the corner as Kurama stepped forward to explain all the details. Hiei activated his jagan as Kurama kept the pint sized ruler occupied. He delved his way into Koenma's mind only to be blocked by a strong and impenetrable barrier. Unsatisfied and disgruntled, Hiei pulled back and returned to listening to his partner speak.
"Kuwabara is at home and Yusuke is with Kagome in Feudal Japan." Kurama explained, "We just wanted to inform you on the details, Koenma."
"Say that again?" He was stunned, "How did Yusuke get through the portal?"
"Kagome returned briefly this evening with a fox demon. She had been injured and she returned to collect something from her house. As she was getting ready to jump into the well to return, Yusuke lifted her and jumped in. The portal must have let him through because he was holding onto her."
"She was hurt? Was it bad?" Koenma's eyes showed concern and Kurama was curious as to why Koenma would care so deeply for the girl.
"It was minor. I'm sure she has healed it by now." Kurama answered his eyes stared directly into Koenma's, "Is there a reason you are so concerned about her, Koenma? I've never seen you act like this before. I can't recall you worrying so much about a case."
"It's just, she's a girl and we all know they're weaker than guys."
"Hn. That was a pathetic lie." Hiei fought back the laugh that wanted to escape from Koenma's answer, "What is it that you are hiding? What are you not telling us?"
"I am not hiding anything, Hiei. I just don't know enough yet to give you an answer. Things are still unknown to us and all I have so far to go by is one book that mentions an unknown miko that we can only assume is Kagome. Botan said the girl in the drawing looks like Kagome, but we are still not one hundred percent sure of what happened in Feudal Japan. It starts getting good once the book first mentions a demon exterminator named Sango, but then the rest of the book is blank and incomplete. Botan is currently checking into the other names mentioned, but she's had no luck so far. It is obvious that I'm going to have to get Kagome in here and get some questions answered."
"Then when she returns, we'll bring her in. We won't give her the option of deciding." Kurama stated, "Botan will have to return with us to the shrine with us and open a portal."
"That is very risky, Kurama. She is a miko and I'm sure she can purify you."
"I don't think she will." Kurama shook his head, "I don't think she's the type of miko that would harm a demon unless the demon was really harming her. If Yusuke is the one to bring her through the portal, we won't have any real problems anyway."
"Asking Yusuke to do this isn't going to sit well with him. He's trying to get closer to the girl. He's not going to want to do something to push her away." Hiei spoke up. Unlike Koenma's impenetrable mind, he was able to read Yusuke's like an open book and he had that morning in the graveyard. When it came to Kagome, Yusuke was intrigued and curious.
"Is that so?" Koenma's eyes narrowed slightly. Kurama couldn't tell what exactly passed in Koenma's eyes, but it was something bordering on jealousy or over protectiveness. There was definitely something he was hiding from them.
"Koenma, sir, it's not much, but I found a book on the demon exterminators." Botan walked in slowly. She eyed the group and took note of the tension surrounding Koenma. She set two books on the desk before him, "The second mentions a bit more about the miko Kikyo and the Shikon no Tama."
"Thank you, Botan. I have to ask you now to go with Kurama and Hiei back to the shrine and wait for Kagome and Yusuke to return. Be prepared to open a portal when they do."
"Sir?"
"No time for questions, Botan. You guys should go." Koenma pointed to the door, "The next time I see any of you, Kagome better be with you."
oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
They hadn't spoken much on the walk to the village, but he didn't seem to mind the silence so much. Just walking with her brought him comfort that he couldn't explain. Her mere presence soothed him and made him feel calm in an unknown place.
Kagome fidgeted nervously under his glances. She could see him out of the corner of her eye casting short sideways glances at her every couple of minutes.
'What is his problem? Do I have something on me? Why is he looking at me like that?'
"Spill it." She stopped and turned to him, "What are you thinking?"
"I wasn't thinking anything." He stopped and faced her.
"Why do you keep looking at me then? Do I have something on me?"
"No, no, it's not like that!" Yusuke scratched his cheek with his index finger. He took a moment to think things through before speaking, "I was just trying to figure something out is all. No need to get defensive."
Kagome stared up at him. He grinned at her and she smiled back before she started walking again. She kept quiet for a bit, pondering his words. Curiosity began to overtake her.
"So, what were you trying to figure out, Yusuke? You will tell me right?" She looked over to him and laughed when he swallowed. His cheeks reddened and he avoided her eyes when he replied.
"I was wondering…um…why I was feeling so calm here. I should be at least a bit worried, right? But, there is something about you that is keeping me calm."
He chanced a glance at her and looked away quickly after meeting her eyes. Kagome chuckled at his behavior. He was an odd guy, cute, but odd.
'Yes, he is rather cute…I guess I can't deny that he's attractive.'
"I can smell human blood." A voice snapped Kagome out of her daze. There was no one in their sights, but she could feel the demonic aura nearby, "I can smell human, female blood. I'm so hungry for human flesh."
She clasped her hand over her wounded arm. It hadn't been bothering her so she had forgotten to heal it. She stepped back and slightly behind Yusuke, her eyes scanning the dark forest around them.
"Crap! I didn't feel it approach! I'm so stupid!" She half groaned, "I don't have my bow with me either."
"You have sacred jewel shards! How delightful!" The voice sounded from a different area than before. Kagome stepped closer to Yusuke and pushed some of her energy out to form a barrier. It was weak, but it would hold off at least one attack depending on how strong the demon was.
"Sacred jewel shards?" Yusuke asked quietly, his eyes were looking around too, "You have some with you?"
"It's what I returned home to get. I kinda forgot them earlier and InuYasha made me go home to get them." Kagome leaned her back against his, "I don't know how long I'll be able to keep this up. We may have to fight."
"Don't worry about it, Kagome. I can handle it."
"Such pure and untainted flesh! Once I dispose of the male and the kit, I will delight myself with all that you have to offer young miko."
"Yuck! That's disgusting!" Kagome cried out, "I don't even want to know what you're talking about!"
"Why don't you just hurry up and show yourself so I can finish this fight quickly! I'm not big with games and me and these two have some place we need to be." Yusuke yelled out and the only response he got was laughter, "Yeah, laugh it up now because you won't get the chance later after I blow your head off!"
"Weak and pathetic human! You will die!"
It jumped out at them from the left. It's long scaly tail lashing out against the barrier. The demon rose above them, his fangs glistening in the moonlight, dripping venom that undoubtedly would be harmful to them if bitten.
"I hate snakes." Yusuke muttered, "I'm gonna need you to drop the barrier, Kagome."
"What? Are you nuts?" Kagome flinched when the large tail struck the walls around them again. She knew it probably wouldn't be able to handle much more.
"You need to trust me, Kagome. I'm not your average, normal teenage boy." He readied his index finger and Kagome stared over her shoulder at it as it began to glow blue and gain power. He was growing stronger right before her eyes.
She dropped the barrier, pulled Shippo in close to her chest and turned as Yusuke pointed the glowing finger at the snake before them.
"Yusuke…" her voice was timid. He gave a cocky little smile before releasing a blast from his finger.
"Spirit gun!" He shouted as the blast tore through the night sky and pierced through the demon before them. It's shrill cries forced Shippo and Kagome to cover their ears.
Once the noise died down, Kagome turned to look up at Yusuke with wide eyes. What ever she had just witnessed was incredible.
"That was…"
"My spirit gun." He interrupted her, "It just comes with my job."
"Job?" She barely managed to get the one word question out. She was quite dazed by his display of power.
He was going to respond to her question, but a there was a streak of red racing towards them and Yusuke was sure that InuYasha was on his way to the sight.
Sure enough, the half-demon skid to a halt just beside Kagome and began looking her over.
"Are you hurt? I can smell your blood." He sounded frantic and Kagome swatted him away.
"I'm alright, InuYasha. The blood is from the wound I got earlier."
"Is everything alright, Lady Kagome?" Miroku asked as he and Sango dismounted from Kirara's back. Their eyes drifted to the unknown boy with Kagome and then to InuYasha who was growling.
"I'm fine, Miroku, honest." She was shoving InuYasha away from Yusuke. The two had already begun an angry glaring contest, "We were just returning when we encountered a snake demon."
"What is he doing here?" InuYasha roared and pointed his finger at Yusuke.
"I let him come back with me, InuYasha." She replied. Okay, it was a lie, but right now the truth wasn't really needed, "We were just returning with Shippo who somehow managed to come into the future with me and I brought back the jewel shards as well."
"Why?" InuYasha glared at her now, making her eyebrow twitch slightly.
"Because I…"
"I asked her to. You got a problem with that mutt?" Yusuke cut in and Kagome groaned. Yeah, they were too much alike.
"What did you say weakling?" InuYasha shoved Kagome to the side and approached Yusuke.
"You really do have hearing issues, don't you?"
"I'll show you hearing issues!" InuYasha flexed his claws. Kagome gave a very soft sigh.
"Sit boy." She closed her eyes as InuYasha smacked into the ground, "You two will not fight with each other! You got that? I swear the two of you are too alike for your own good!"
She joined Sango and Miroku, who were still confused by the current situation. They watched their friend give angry stares up at the unknown guy who was standing over him with a smirk.
"Kagome, what is going on?" Sango asked quietly, "What was that huge blast of light from?"
"First things first, Sango. This is Yusuke. He's from my time. Yusuke, these guys are Sango, Miroku and Kirara." Kagome started with the introductions first and then moved on to answer her friend's question, "And that blast of light was Yusuke saving me from what was likely to be a very painful death."
"Yes, he does have high spiritual energy." Miroku rubbed his chin thoughtfully. He had never seen a human with as much spiritual energy as the boy before him did.
"Yours isn't too bad either." Yusuke replied and Miroku seemed momentarily shocked.
"I was unaware that people like you existed in Kagome's time. I was under the impression that Kagome's time was more docile compared to this. Yet recently, there has been mention of demons in her time."
"We do our best not to let the demons escape from the Makai." Yusuke replied and nodded to Kagome, "Another part of my job."
"Yes, you mentioned something about your job earlier, but you never answered my question." Kagome replied and looked to InuYasha who had taken to sulking in a tree not too far away, "We were interrupted before, care to tell me what it is that you do?"
"Uh…you see I was going to have Kurama explain that part to you." Yusuke began and put his hands up when Kagome frowned, "Only because he can explain it better than me!"
"Who exactly is Kurama? I've heard his name mentioned by Hiei, but have I met him?"
"Yes, Kurama is what we call Shuichi. Long story, I'm sure he'll tell you."
Kagome sighed and looked to her friends. Things were just getting more and more confusing. She wanted answers and it seemed the only way she was going to get them would be to return home and talk with Shuichi, or Kurama, or what ever the hell his name was! She didn't really care as long as someone helped her to understand just what the hell was going on.
"Fine, I'll talk to him tomorrow. It's too late to go home now so we might as well stay in the village tonight." Kagome shrugged her shoulders as InuYasha landed next to her, "I won't stay home all day, only so I can get some answers."
He growled at her and she looked up at him with pleading eyes. She pouted her lips slightly and he looked away.
"Feh, what ever, but you better not take all day or I'll come and drag you back here myself, you got that?"
"Thank you, InuYasha! You're the best!" She hugged him quickly and laughed when he grumbled. She released him and motioned for Yusuke to follow her and her friends into the village.
oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
"The sun will be coming up in a few hours." Botan yawned, "I don't think that they'll be back for awhile."
"What is it that Koenma is hiding?" Hiei squatted on the branch before Botan. She looked over at him and frowned.
"I know nothing." She answered quietly, sadly. It wasn't like her to not know.
"You lie."
"Pry if you'd like then, Hiei. I'm telling you the truth. He hasn't said a word to me." Botan snapped at the half koorime and he scowled, "Why don't you pry into his mind?"
"I tried. There were barriers blocking everything."
"Is that so?" Kurama sat securely on a branch above them.
'If Koenma's mind was blocked, then that means that what is going on is way bigger than just protecting Kagome. Something Koenma isn't ready to talk about with anybody, even Botan.'
"I was thinking the same thing." Hiei looked up at Kurama, "That brat isn't telling us everything."
The trio sat silently while they thought over the reasons Koenma would keep them in the dark. It had to be something of importance. He had never sent the team on a mission where he didn't at least share some information with them and he'd always, always tell Botan the important stuff. Why was this time different?
"We'll just have to get him to tell us." Kurama spoke up, "He can't keep quiet forever. What ever he knows might be of importance to protecting Kagome. He'll have to open up and share what he knows. We just might have to put a little pressure on him to get him to open up."
"Hiei could intimidate him." Botan suggested and Kurama laughed. It was an amusing idea and surely Hiei could make the toddler squirm just by gazing at him alone. Most people would squirm under Hiei's crimson gaze.
"We'll keep that in mind, but first, we'll wait for Yusuke and Kagome to return. You should get some rest, Botan. I'll wake you when they come back."
"Easy for you to say. I find trees to be uncomfortable." She mumbled and adjusted to get as comfortable as she could. Oddly, the old tree wasn't too bad.
'Yusuke's going to be mad.' Hiei looked up at Kurama.
'We'll just have to take things cautiously. Maybe we can persuade her first.'
'I'll leave that up to you. That's your area.'
'Yes, of course.'
