Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this gentle adventure... especially for the one with a wide protective streak. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess where InuYasha is concerned. All due respect is also offered to Yoshihiro Togashi, whose fervid imagination is responsible for YuYu Hakusho.

An Affinity for Underestimation

- 28 -
Pink Bicycle

As autumn took hold, Kagome stayed on the fringes of school life. Though she wanted to do her best during her final year of school, she wasn't under the same pressure as her university-bound peers. It's hard to think about the future when you're always wondering about the past. To distract herself from looking too far forward or too far back, Kagome focused on something she could do now.

When Kurama arrived for their tutoring session that afternoon, Kagome was setting up a battered target at the far end of the leaf-strewn courtyard. "What's this?" he asked curiously.

"I borrowed some gear from archery coach at school." With a guilty glance, she admitted, "I might have hinted that I was thinking about rejoining the team."

"But you're not?"

"Nope! I'm getting ready," she said happily. "For our mission."

Kurama selected an arrow and tested its wicked point. "Your role is largely defensive. There's no need for you to be armed."

Her chin lifted. "I know how to do the whole battle thing. I'm just a little rusty."

"These demons are ruthless, Kagome-chan," the redhead said with a politeness that felt patronizing. "It's probably wisest to let Hiei and I handle them."

Oh, no you don't. Her temper flared, but with steely calm, Kagome shouldered her quiver and stalked towards her mark. Don't you dare underestimate me. While Kurama stared pensively at the arrow in his hand, she took her stance, drew the bowstring taut, and focused her purity. To her satisfaction, he stiffened.

He was just turning, eyes wide with surprise, when she released the crackling bolt; the arrow blew past him in a furious pink blaze, singeing his proverbial whiskers before burying itself in the center of the target. With a smirk, she called, "Just like riding a bicycle!"

- 29 -
Duplicity

With the afterimage of her spiritual energy still burning into his retina, Kurama slowly shook his head. Awe, certainly... but also disbelief. It had surprised him to see Kagome with a weapon in her hands. Someone so gentle and generous shouldn't be playing with dangerous toys. Of course, he wasn't one to talk. His own acquaintances would be stunned if they ever learned that mild-mannered Shuuichi Minamino was capable of dealing death with unflinching precision. We two are a lot alike.

The triumph in Kagome's gaze was understandable... and the challenge unmistakeable. She doesn't want to hide behind me; she wants to fight by my side. However, Kurama wasn't prepared to allow it. In battle, he needed to look out for himself; the last thing he needed was the distraction of looking out for her. And he would, even if she didn't need it. Deep down, he knew he wouldn't be able to help himself; Kagome was too inexperienced, too vulnerable, too dear.

So while Kurama planned a plan in which he and Hiei used Kagome as a shield in order to sneak into the enemy's stronghold and wrest the elusive mirror from their grasp, he also schemed a little scheme of his own. No one suspected. After all, duplicity was second nature to a clever fox like him.

Whenever Hiei growled at him for taking so long to finalize their next strike, Kurama put him off, saying he needed to fine-tune the details. They both knew he was just stalling, but what his partner didn't realize was the true reason why.

If I can break in and steal the mirror on my own, Kagome won't ever have to be endangered. Certainly, a solo entry constituted a higher risk, but it was one Kurama was willing to take. For her.

- 30 -
Pride Goeth

Kurama winced as cold metal cut into his wrists, numbing his hands; long hours had passed, and his wavering legs could no longer support all his weight. Sagging against the rough wall of an underground cavern, he reassessed the shambles of his plans. Should have realized... should have pulled back sooner... should have listened to my instincts. But regrets came too late, leaving the red-haired captive with nothing but stark realities.

For a week, he'd cautiously tested the enemy's perimeters, delving deeper into their lair with each passing day. While scouting, he'd discovered a little-used route and a brief opening in the guards' rounds; however, when he'd seized the opportunity, he was taken by surprise. A well-placed ambush, a fruitless struggle, and a brutal interrogation had pushed his all-too-human body to its limits. Whoever his captor was, they were wise to his usual tricks. The thugs had searched him thoroughly, stripping away clothes, weapons, seeds, and vials. What's more, his dank prison was devoid of green and growing things, denying him any chance to use his special affinity for plants. Helpless.

Trembling on the edge of exhaustion, Kurama found meager comfort in the knowledge that Hiei would find him. But that hope was mingled with dread. He'll come, and he won't think twice about bringing Kagome along. By trying to keep her safe, I've multiplied the dangers she must face. Hiei was certainly capable of keeping the young woman safe, but Kurama would have liked to be the one protecting her. Instead, he was the bait in the trap she would be walking into. Humiliating.

All he could do was conserve his waning strength. A shiver skittered across his clammy skin, painfully jarring his abused nerves. Biting back a groan, Kurama flexed his icy fingers and concentrated on survival. Hurry.

End Note: These three drabbles were written for the Live Journal community fanfic(underscore)bakeoff and their Secret Ingredient for September 2010—Surprise. The drabbles are 300, 300, and 300 words respectively. Posted on September 11, 2010.