Chapter 9. Memories: New Members to the Group

"This is it." Kagome said cheerily as she helped Hiei into the hut. "This is the head priestesses hut. You should be able to rest here for a while…as long as Inuyasha stays out." She mumbled the last part.

"I thought you said the priestess Kikyo killed him." Hiei stated bluntly.

"Yes…but she only had him under a very, very powerful spell. I accidentally broke it and set him free when I ever so intelligently broke the Shikon no Tama." Kagome said cheerily. Hiei sweat-dropped.

"So this Kikyo…she is still dead, correct?" Kagome paused and sadness crossed over her face.

"Yes…and no." She said. Hiei grew frustrated.

"What does that mean? What kind of an answer is that?!" He demanded.

"Exactly the way it sounds. Kikyo remains dead, yet she walks around the world of the living." Kagome said, her back to Hiei as he sat with this back leaning against the far wall of the hut.

"She can't do that, not if you're here." Hiei stated simply. That priestess cannot be able to walk amongst the living if her reincarnation is Kagome. And if Kagome is still here, that isn't possible for both of them to be here.

"Yeah…well it is possible apparently. A witch by the name of Urasue (sp?) brought Kikyo back to control her, and gather all the Shikon Shards." Kagome mumbled. He doesn't have to know that she stole a part of my soul… Hiei snapped her out of her thoughts.

"How are you both still walking…if you both only have a part of your souls?" Hiei asked. Kagome's eyes widened in shock as she turned around.

"How did you-?"

"I read your mind." He said flatly.

"A telepath…" Her eyes narrowed. "Don't read my mind whenever you please. I will get a tad grouchy, if you don't like me now, you will absolutely loathe me when I'm grouchy."

"I already loathe you." Hiei said simply. Kagome smirked.

"Then you'll find a new level of loathing." She said sweetly.

"Kagome!" A white-haired and eared half demon stormed into the hut. "I smelled a demon and…" His golden eyes narrowed at Hiei. "Who the hell are you?"

"Inuyasha, sit-boy." Kagome said as Inuyasha began to draw his Tetsusaiga. "This is Hiei." Hiei watched in entertainment as Inuyasha kissed the ground.

"What the hell was that for?! He's a demon!" Inuyasha said getting up from the ground.

"I'm very well aware of that." She said her eyes narrowed. "I can take care of myself you know."

"Why the hell is he here then?" Her eyes glinted angrily.

"He was hurt by Naraku's little puppets."

"Those weak things? HA! He's pathetic." Inuyasha snorted.

"Can't say I remember you doing to well the first time you fought against his puppets…and you only fought against one!" Kagome retorted angrily. "Now leave him alone so he can heal!"

"Feh. Kikyo would never bring a random demon into the village, if she found it injured in the forest." Inuyasha snorted. Anger crossed Kagome's face.

"I am not Kikyo, Inuyasha. I do things differently than her." She said.

"Feh." He replied.

"Is that all you have to say half-breed?" Hiei said calmly. His red eyes narrowing as he felt anger covering the sadness in the young girls' aura. "She isn't the woman you are so obviously still infatuated over."

"You're right about that." Inuyasha said calmly, to both Kagome and Hiei's slight surprise. Then he opened his big mouth and shoved his foot in it. (not really…) "Kikyo's way better. She's capable of protecting herself, and she wouldn't slow us down."

"SIT-BOY!" Kagome said very intensely. "I'm not Kikyo, and I am very well capable of protecting myself. If you keep comparing me to that clay-bitch…I'll show you how capable I am of protecting myself." Hiei looked shocked as he felt the danger flowing off the kind girl's aura. He tried to get into her mind only to reel back as he felt the intense emotions swirling around her. Inuyasha stood up and they glared at each other. Hiei got prepared to move as he saw her flickering energy around her.

"I suggest you leave, half-breed mutt." Hiei said calmly. "Unless you want this girl to blow up half the village, I suggest you use that tiny brain of yours and leave."

"This little girl isn't capable of that." Inuyasha snorted as both of the said people turned to look at Hiei.

"Hn. She's more powerful than you obviously think." Hiei replied. Inuyasha was about to retort when Kagome cut him off.

"I think your brother, Sesshomaru, is correct, Inuyasha."

"Huh?" Inuyasha asked surprised.

"Apparently, full demons are more intelligent than half-demons. Now leave or I will, and I will not come back this time." She said, as her bangs covered her eyes, and the rest of her face was shadowed. "And I will be sure to give you a good wave of purification, to rattle some sense into your brain when I leave." Inuyasha and Hiei stared at her in shock, sensing the dangerous truth in her words.

"Feh…baka onna." He snorted and left the hut.

Kagome didn't move and Hiei carefully watched her. She released a clenched fist slowly and turned around.

"I-I'm extremely sorry you had to see and hear that." She said forcing a smile. "He tends to put his foot in his mouth sometimes, and doesn't use his head." Hiei snorted.

"That mutt doesn't appear to have a brain. He should know better than to mess with those more powerful than himself." Kagome looked surprised.

"What do you mean?"

"Has that mutt degraded you to the point where you don't even know your own strength?" Hiei asked his voice letting some of his shock show. "You have enough spiritual power to blow up this pathetic village and more." Kagome looked shocked as she began setting up herbs.

"I…do?" She asked meekly.

"You mean you truly don't know your own strength?" Hiei demanded. Kagome shook her head.

"Nope, I'm afraid I have no idea what you're talking about. I think it would be best if you get some rest now. I'll make sure the other villagers leave you alone, and I doubt Inuyasha will come back." She said as she stood up fully again. He heard a young voice calling out her name before a small bundle burst into the hut.

"Oka-san! Inuyasha's being mean to me again!" Cried the little bundle buried in her arms. She calmly rubbed small circle's on the child's back. Hiei's eyes widened when he noticed that the child had a tail.

"Shh, shh, calm down Shippo. He's just a little mad right now, so just ignore him." She said soothingly. Shippo pulled back slightly.

"What's got him all mad now?" He asked innocently, then his nose twitched and he looked back at the glowering Hiei.

"MAMA A DEMON!" He shouted at Kagome as he pulled out a leaf. Kagome chuckled and ruffled his hair.

"Don't worry Shippo. This is Hiei, I found him injured out in the forest, so I brought him here to heal."

"But oka-san he might be after your jewel shards." Hiei looked on in amusement as Kagome continued trying to calm the boy down.

"I'll be just fine Shippo, why don't you go outside and play with Kirara and Sango, I'll be joining you guys in just a few minutes." She said smiling at him.

"…Alright oka-san." He mumbled and glared at Hiei. "Don't you dare hurt my oka-san…or you'll be sorry!" He said as he walked out of the hut.

"He's just a little rambunctious, so please forgive him." Kagome said giggling slightly.

"Why does he call you mother?" Hiei asked suddenly as Kagome was about to walk out of the hut. She paused and looked at him.

"Is there something wrong with it?" She said evasively. Hiei caught it and continued to press.

"He is a full demon kitsune, why would he call a miko his mother?" She smiled.

"Because Shippo's parents were killed by the thunder brothers, I've been taking care of him since. It's just been recently he started calling me his mother. I don't mind it at all, I love him with all my heart." She smiled at him. "Rest and get better." She walked out of the hut.

Just as Hiei shut his eyes he made a note of something. 'There's another scent, of a different fox. I will ask that miko about it later…'

Several Days Later

Hiei walked outside of the hut in search for Kagome. He followed her scent and it led to a well where woman petting a two tailed demon neko while talking to a monk in purple robes.

"Woman." Hiei stated as he approached her. He watched with narrowed eyes as she grabbed a large weapon nearby and the monk slanted his staff. His red eyes narrowed. "I don't come to fight, I'm looking for the miko, Kagome." The monk and demon slayer eyed him carefully before a fur-ball looked up.

"Oh hey Hiei! Sorry, but you'll have to wait for a little bit, Kagome is supposed to come back from her world today. She went to get some more supplies." Shippo said.

"Hn. Fine then I'll wait." The monk eyed him carefully before something seemed to click.

"Oh you must be the demon Kagome was taking care of the last few days."

"Hn." Hiei grunted, leaning against a tree.

"I'm the monk Miroku, and this is Sango. Shippo already told us he met you." Miroku said calmly. "May I inquire as to who you are?"

"Hn. Hiei." He said simply.

"Is there….a particular reason as to why you're seeking Kagome?" Sango asked hesitantly, never releasing her grip on her Hiraikotsu.

"Fine then monk, I will ask you then." Hiei stated flatly. The monk looked surprised.

"Fine then, ask away."

"Why is there a stench of another demon fox around here." Sango sighed in frustration.

"You're probably smelling that troublesome silver kitsune." She muttered. "That would probably be Yoko Kurama, he comes and goes as he pleases, but he does help Kagome when she asks him to."

"You could say he's just a part time member of our little group." Miroku said and the well suddenly glowed. Hiei instantly prepared to attack.

"Calm down, Hiei. That's Kagome, she's back." Sango said calmly as she helped Kagome climb out of the well.

"Thanks Sango." She said as she dusted off. She suddenly saw Hiei. "Oh, Hiei! Your feeling better, I hope?" Hiei grunted.

"Hn."

"That's good." She murmured smiling. "Is there something you wanted? I hope I didn't keep you waiting long." She walked over to him.

"…." Hiei kept a steady gaze with her. She looked confused slightly as he shoved his fist out at here. "Here." He said as he dropped three shards into her hand, they purified instantly and she closed her fist over then.

"Thank you Hiei." She said smiling brightly. After that they all walked towards the village and Hiei stayed and assisted Kagome along with Yoko Kurama.

End of Memory

Hiei stared at Kagome's face as he relived those memories. I'll never forget your kindness, Kagome. You showed mercy, and you lent strength. You didn't deserve the dark path you now walk. I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you. I'm sorry I abandoned you when you needed me. Kurama and Inuyasha left after Hiei told them he would watch her. His hard red eyes softened as he moved a strand of hair away from her face and he stroked her cheek lightly as his eyes landed on the spider scar on her temple. His hand trailed away and clenched tightly as his eyes narrowed once again. Blood dripped from his fist onto the floor. Never again, Kagome, never again will I allow you to suffer. I'll erase your memories if I can after we free you. I'll make it so we can see your smile, so that your laughter is genuine, so that your pain is gone. I promise you…I will not leave you again. He calmly leaned against the wall and continued to gaze at her. This time I will not break my promise.

TBC……..

Plz Review!

I'm sorry this was a bit short, but as I've said before and in my profile, that my computer crashed along with all my old chapters, so now I have to retype them. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please send me your reviews and if you could please send me some ideas that would be nice. Sooooooo!!!!!!!!!! NEWAYS! Have a great one!