Disclaimer: DO NOT OWN ANYTHING.
A/N I am really sorry for the late update, my inspiration and muse for this story and many of my other stories had left me standing in the dust, but I have found a new inspiration and muse so let's hope it stays.
Rhodey wrapped an arm around Kagome who was curled into his side sleeping. Resting his other arm on the armrest, he let his hand dangle while holding his drink. Tiling his head back he thought back to the day that he and Kagome first found comfort in each other.
Rain was hitting the windows, of Tony's home but no one seamed to notice as Tony was throwing one of his party's. Both he and Kagome watched as Tony danced around the female population, making passes at them and the odd male that stood out.
"He really does love the attention he gets." He said to Kagome who turned her head to him and nodded before turning around to the bar.
"Whisky on the rocks." The bartender nodded and started to make her drink. James took a sip of his beer as he watched Tony once again stalk through the crowd like a predator.
"His next two targets will be the blond girl and the guy that looks strangely like Captain America." Kagome told him as she took a sip from her drink before looking at him. James gave a sigh and shook his head, as he looked out at the floor. Hands clenched as he watched Tony make out with the man.
"Tell him" his head whipped around to face Kagome, who wasn't even looking at him, instead she was looking as Tony moved to the blond woman.
"I won't" Kagome turned her head to look at him and raised a brow.
"Why?"
"The same reason you haven't told him." Kagome sighed and knocked the rest of her drink back.
"We're hopeless James. I mean look at us, we have all been friends since MIT and here we are, pining after the one person who won't ever cross that line with us. Hurts more then I remember." Kagome placed her glass on the table behind her and stood up, turning to James she took the beer out of his hand and dragged him to the floor.
As they danced James grabbed her by the hips and pulled her to him, leaning down he whispered in her ear.
"I think we need to enjoy this moment, and forget he's even here, in this area." He felt Kagome nod, giving a smirk he kissed the side of her neck, making his way up to her lips, he gave her a soft kiss before pulling away to look her in the eyes. He trailed his hand along the side of her face before tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. James watched as Kagome smiled at him before pulling him in for another kiss.
As they fell into bed that night, neither one cared that Tony's name was gasped one or two times by one another. They knew it was likely going to happened, they ignored the feelings of hurt and relished in the way the other made them feel. The way Kagome knew the exact way to make him crazy with just a touch of her finger. The way James knew how to work her up to the point of hysterics before he pushed her over the edge. They way both of them felt loved in each other's arms.
As they laid there in each other's arms, Kagome's head resting on his chest, his hand trailing up and down her arm.
"Hey James"
James tilted his head down to look at Kagome who was now resting her chin on her arm that was across his chest, making small patterns on his chest with her fingers.
"Yea Kage's"
"Do you regret it? Tonight. Will we wake up in the morning and pretend this never happened and go back to pretending we don't hurt."
James sat up and pulled Kagome with him, leaning forwards he placed a hand under her chin when she refused to look at him. Bringing her chin up, he smiled before he kissed her. Placing a hand on her cheek and the other moved to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.
"No I don't regret tonight, I doubt I ever will, and we won't pretend. We'll keep pretending that we aren't hurt because we need to. But we won't have to pretend alone." James said as looked her in the eye trying to convey that he wasn't lying. Kagome smiled and nodded before pushing him down and claimed on top of him before kissing him.
The two woke up to the sound of people talking. Kagome saw that Shippo was sitting across from her with a shit eating grin. Sitting up she rubbed her eyes before looking around. Everyone was awake and looking at them. Tony handed Pepper a Twenty causing Kagome to sigh.
"Really guys what was the bet now?" Rhodey spoke as he moved to sit up, unwrapping his arm from around Kagome's waist.
"Tony was positive that you guys where not sleeping together. I was positive you were." Kagome sighed before shaking her head. Of course Tony would bet on our love lives.
Shippo noticed the look of longing in both his mother and the man she was beside. And sighed, knowing that the two probably got together to kill the pain of seeing the one they love with another.
"Don't give him the speech Tony." Kagome said giving Tony a glare that she meant it, before standing up and walking to the bathroom to get the aftertaste of liquor out of her mouth.
As soon as Kagome was out of the room Rhodey felt Tony's eyes on him as well as Peppers.
"She told Tony not to but she didn't tell me. You hurt her, James and so help me you will wish that Tony was the one killing you." The others stared at Pepper while Tony smiled and nodded pulling her to his side, pleased with her threat. Shippo could tell that, Pepper had chosen the wrong time to give him the talk.
Rhodey clenched his fists as he listened to Pepper talk about him hurting Kagome as if that was something he would ever do. And snorted causing everyone in the room to look at him, none realizing that Kagome had re-entered the room catching the last bit if Peppers speech. Rhodey smiled a cruel smile as he stood up and walked towards Tony and Pepper.
"Oh so I'm not allowed to hurt her but you two are, that's rich." He smiled at the looks the two where giving him, ignoring how everyone else in the room tenses with the oncoming argument.
"James!" everyone turned their heads to where they heard the voice come from to see Kagome.
"That was not called for and you know it, now stop trying to pick a fight." Kagome said as she gave Rhodey a glare that made him back down and leave the room. Kagome walked over to Tony and Pepper.
"What did he mean we've hurt you 'Gome?" Kagome wanted to scream at Pepper to open her eyes but instead she did what she always did and gave the woman a smile and shook her head.
"He didn't mean anything Peps he was probably talking about the other day that's all." She pulled the woman in for a hug, Smiling as she pulled back.
"Kagome what are you doing?" Shippo asked as he watched her walk to the door that lead out of the building, the other's wondered the same thing. Kagome froze and turned to look at Shippo, knowing that he meant her and James and her leaving the building. Giving him a smile she walked up to him, placing her hands on his shoulders.
"Saving the hearts of the ones I love." She pulled him in for a hug before, walking back to the door.
"What about your heart"
Kagome stopped once more, this time not turning around before she answered.
"It's not worth saving."
She left leaving the others stunned as to what they just heard.
"What happened to Lady Kagome? The sorrow she feels should not be felt by one such as her." Thor was the first to break the silence the loomed over the group as they sat around the coffee table. Thor sat next to Clint and Natasha on the couch, Tony and Pepper sat together on one of the arm chairs. The others where taken up by Bruce and Steve. Shippo sat on the couch that was not occupied. Shippo looked up at the God and smiled.
"Oh course your kind would sense her power, did they forget about her already? You Gods love to play around with human lives, not caring about if that life gets hurt in the process." Everyone sat in shock as Shippo talked to Thor, who in turn looked confused for a moment before he seemed to register what Shippo had said.
"She's the…." Thors eyes widened as he came to the conclusion of who Kagome really was.
Shippo smiled as he watched the realization come to Thor. "Yes she is." Thor sat on the edge of the couch.
"She wasn't painted black?"
"She can't be"
"How?"
"Because she is Kagome. The only one of her kind that doesn't shot before questions. She was shunned because she took me in, traveled with a Halfling, was claimed by a wolf tribe leader, had half her soul ripped out, made friends with people who tried to kill her. It was the same for anyone who met her. She opened her arms and her heart. It didn't matter what you were, what you did. She would love you all the same. She would be a mother, a sister, a friend, a punching bag if it was needed."
Everyone took in what Shippo was saying. Rhodey had come back into the room before Shippo had started and was sitting on the end of the couch Shippo was on.
"How?" Thor questioned again trying to understand how such a woman was abandoned by his people.
"The first person she met was Inuyasha he tried to kill her because he thought she was someone else. Then it was me, I stole from them and Kagome refused to let Inuyasha kill me for it. Then it was Miroku who kidnapped her, then Sango who tried to kill Inuyasha. And somewhere before us Sesshomaru tried to kill both her and Inuyasha his brother. The Gods played her so well, making her soul big enough to be ripped in two and still be able to live, but they did not take into count the mind of Inuyasha, and her own will, they had not meant to make her unable to be blacken. And trust me many tired, Kikyo with the constant taunts, Kagura with trying to make her feel worthless. And Inuyasha constantly comparing her to his dead lover Kikyo. She understood that as a human one feels jealousy, pain and all that so it never worked." The others stared at Shippo in shock they never expected that. Thor was visibly shaking, upset that his father had a part in hurting this girl that he called friend. Tony, Pepper and Rhodey already knew most of it but it still shocked them to no extent. Clint and Natasha where only pushed further into their choice of not letting Kagome out of their sights. Bruce sat there feeling bad about how such a bright girl could go through so much. Steve was having a hard time believe Shippo but knew that it was the best thing he was going to get.
Kagome leaned against the door as she listened to Shippo explain to the God. Holding back the tears that wanted to fall. Sealing herself she turned around and opened the doors ignoring the looks she was receiving.
"Clint, Natasha, Thor I believe I could use your assistance." This caused Shippos head to whip around to look at her with wide eyes.
"You're going to get it aren't you"
Kagome gave him a smile before placing a hand on his cheek.
"I'd rather retrieve it now than have them kill me and get it."
Shippo nodded in response to Kagome. The others there where just as confused as they were before.
"Kag what are you retrieving?"
Kagome looked at Pepper with a flat look.
"The Sword of Hell, So'unga"
Shippo stared at his mother trying to wrap his head around what he knew had happened with the sword and to it.
"When did you ever touch the sword? As far as I knew Inuyasha was the only one who ever touched it since it vanished when his father died."
Kagome gave a smile. "I grew up on a shrine Shippo that was built around the Tree of Ages, and The Bone Eater Well. The land was called Inuyasha's forest. How do you think I got hold of the sword? My Grandfather would tell me tales of the Shikon every day. I was cleaning out the shed when I found it. Not long after I met Inuyasha that I started to hear the sword calling me."
Shippo stared at Kagome wide eyed causing her to laugh and ruffle his hair.
"So Inu touched it cuz he liked pointy things"
Kagome laughed at Shippo being honestly blunt about Inuyasha.
"Pretty much."
The two gave a laugh before Kagome turned to the three sitting in the couch across from Shippo.
"I will need your help if I am to retrieve it." The three looked at her in confusion, which seemed to be a permanent look on their faces when it came to Shippo and Kagome. It was Thor who was the first one to ask what all of them where thinking.
"What are we to help you do Lady Kagome? If the legend it correct then that sword is in Hell."
Kagome smiled widely her eyes sparking with mischief. The others shuttered at the thought of what could be going through her head to make her smile like that.
"That is correct Thor, and that is why I need the help of a God and the two beside you. I need you to make sure I stay on task while Clint and Natasha make sure nothing but us comes through."
Everyone stared at her in shock as she confirmed that the sword was in fact in Hell.
"If I may, Ms. Higurashi why exactly would you want Clint, Thor and Natasha? And not Me, Iron man and Hulk or even Iron Patriot and Shippo?" Kagome turned to look at Steve with a look that made him wish he hadn't said a word. Shippo snickered under his breath which soon turned into a full blown laugh as Kagome looked at him and shook her head before turning back to Steve.
"The reason why I need those three is because. One Thor is a God and he can heal faster than you, and his brother's daughter is the keeper of hell, plus I tend to get side tracked when I enter the gates. Cerberus gets excite when he sees me and Hades always manages to make a small conversation longer than it should be. Two Clint and Natasha like to stay on task and not let things distract them. Three Tony and James cannot because I refuse to let them do it, also because I believe that Clint and Natasha would have volunteered anyway. And why I won't let Bruce is because, I don't want to. As for Shippo. I wouldn't let him see it when he was little and that still stands. He's seen enough because of me and I don't want him to see anymore."
Steve stare at Kagome in shock, causing Tony and Shippo to laugh as he had that look on his face every time he talked to Kagome. He looked over to Clint and Natasha who only shrugged and nodded. Shaking his head, he sighed knowing that he was out numbered when it came to Kagome. Standing up he walked out of the room and pulled out his phone and called Furry after a moment of struggle.
"Furry what can you tell me about a Kagome Higurashi."
Tony watched as Steve left the room, knowing that the man was probably going to call Fury. Sighing as he knew that Pepper wouldn't let him jam the call he crossed his arms and started to prepare for the angry Pirate's visit.
Kagome, Natasha, Clint and Thor sat in a room that was on her floor. Kagome made sure that Jarvis knew to keep everyone but them off this floor until she said so. She was surprised when he told her that he would refuse the override codes as well. Turning around to look at the two that stood behind her and Thor.
"Okay once I open the gates, Thor and I will enter. Now I'm telling you this now. Something's that are trying to escape will play on your fears just believe in each other and the faith you have to do your job." She watched as the two nodded, giving a small smile she turned to Thor who nodded, sighing she muttered under her breath in a long forgotten langue and made a small cut on her hand. As the blood hit the floor the gates to hell opened. Kagome and Thor watched through.
"You've been here before Lady Kagome?" Thor as they walk down what he could only assume was a hallway. The walls where a blazing yellow that blended red, he could hear the screams of the damned even from where they were. The screams where filled with pain. And he could only assume what caused them to do so. Kagome looked at Thor and saw that he was bothered by the screams and sighed. Placing a hand on his arm her eyes flashed. Thor turned his head to Kagome when he felt her hand on his arm. Seeing her eyes flash he was surprised to find that he could no longer hear the screams. Smiling "Thank you Lady Kagome."
Kagome only nodded her head and continued to walk to where she knew the sword was.
They came to a giant gate that was much bigger than Thor would have imagined. Kagome walked forward and smiled as the ground began to shake. Thor pulled out his Hammer and move to stand in front of Kagome only to stop as he saw a massive three headed dog running at them, only to skid to a stop in front of Kagome who was laughing and petting the creature. Shippos words echoed through his head. 'It doesn't matter what you are, who you are or what you've done. She will love you all the same and open her arms and her heart.' Thor realized just how right the red haired man was.
Kagome gave a laugh as Cerberus started to lick her cheeks, each head taking turns. Turing her head she looked back at Thor who seemed to be staring at them lost in thought.
"Thor met Cerberus. He will take us to where So'unga is, won't you boy" Thor watched as the Dog seemed to understand what she was saying and gave a bark in response before the three heads nodded and took off stopping at the door in which it entered from to make sure they followed. Thor and Kagome followed Cerberus though the many hallways that led to where So'unga was. At the end of the hallway was a massive door with a skull on it. Cerberus ignoring the closed door ran into them causing a shout from behind the closed doors to which Kagome laughed.
Kagome moved in front of Thor who raised a brow but did not move in protest. Thank god he's not like Tony. Tony would have refused me being in front of him even if it was safer that he stayed behind me. Thor's eyes widened as he looked around the room. It looked like the Asgardian throne room with hits of something else, which he could not place. Kagome laughed at Thors wide eyed look as he looked around the room. It was more of a personal room than the throne room, despite what it looked like. Hades did love to make others fell small when it came to things like this. There where paintings of his siblings around the room. Despite the legends of him and Zeus not getting along it was quite the opposite. Hades loved being the ruler of the underworld because he had more power than Zeus not that he cared about power. He just love to watch people's faces when they realized that they can't hide their sins from him as he judged them. The room had a red couch that was large enough to fit Hulk.
"Greek, Hades is the Greek God so to remind himself of home he made the room look like it." A voice said from behind them. Thor and Kagome turned around to look at the person behind them. Kagome smiled as she saw the person behind them, Thor was shocked to see a woman that could rival the beauty his mother held. Dressed in a floor length white dress that had a single strap that went over one shoulder and split up the leg to mid- thigh. She also had a gold coloured sash wrapped around her waist the ends dangling down the length of her dress. Her hair was brown like Lady Jane's with brown eyes.
"Persephone. How are you?" Kagome said giving the woman a hug to which, Persephone returned the hug with a smiled on her face. Pulling back Persephone led them over to the couch.
"I've been well Kagome how about you?"
"I've been well, it's almost time for you to return home isn't it?"
Persephone gave a nod with a smile. "Hades shall be here soon. He had to change after Cerberus knocked him in to the wine." Kagome gave a small laugh. Thor let the two females catch up.
"My dear you can go now I can look after them." Their heads turned to see a man who was dressed in a modern black button up shirt with black dress pants. His hair was black and eyes blue. Kagome smiled hugging the man as Persephone left the room. "Hades this is Thor Odin's son." Kagome said to Hades. Thor nodded his head offering his hand to the other God. Who took it and smiled. "I hope you are not like your father. That man can't take a joke." Thor smiled and shook his head which caused Hades to laugh before he said down in front of them.
"Back so soon Kagome?"
"Hade's is been three years since I last visited."
"Time passes so slowly down here."
"Well it seems to do just fine for your since in fashion."
Hades gave a deep laugh, while Kagome smiled Thor just looked at the two of them and shook his head. Despite what Shippo might think it looks like she still has one God in her corner and now she has him there as well.
"So Kagome why are you here with the son of Odin?"
Kagome gave Hades a serious look all signs of the care free girl was gone. Now replaced by one who was hardened to the core. Hades raised his brow at the change in Kagome.
"I have come for So'unga." Hades blinked at her before snapping his fingers. Causing a sword to appear beside him.
"Thank god the damn thing was going to get muzzled Kagome." Kagome laughed at Hades which only caused the God to sigh. Thor looked at the sword and wondered how a sword could be muzzled.
"About damn time Woman I was getting tired of being kept here." Thor looked at the sword in shock as he watched it open its eye and look at him. Kagome and Hades laughed at Thors reaction to the sword.
Kagome walked up to the sword and grabbed it. The room gave a pulse as her power mixed and melded with the swords. Smiling Kagome ran her hand along the hilt of the sword giving the impression that she was petting it. "I'm sorry So'unga it was necessary to leave you here to let the world heal after Inu Baka decided to wake your other side." Hades gave a laugh as he watched the sword glare at Kagome. Even though the damn thing annoyed the Hell out of him, no pun intended the sword was also a great at making him laugh. "Not my fault that mutt wanted me for his own. He should have known that just because I was his father's sword didn't mean that he had the power to balance me. Hell he should have listened to Tessaiga that sword was telling him not to. But no I was just too pointy for him not to touch." Kagome smiled and shook her head at the swords ramblings.
"Well we have to be off now Hades. I will be back soon though." Hades gave a smile hugged Kagome before turning to Thor. "It was nice to meet the First son of Odin, I am sorry about you brother though."
Thor nodded and followed Kagome out.
Clint was laying on the floor while Natasha rested against a wall when Kagome and Thor exited the Gates of Hell Kagome placed the sword along her back and walked over to Clint. The gates vanishing behind them. Leaning over she checked Clint over only to find a few cuts and bruises, walking over to Natasha she found that she was scratched by what looked like claws.
"So a hell hound tried to come through was that it?"
"Yeah that mutt was the only one ran back squealing when it realized that bullets hurt like fuck." Clint said from where he was lying on the floor also muttering something about how band aids don't heal bullet holes causing Kagome to smile and laugh "did you just quote Taylor Swift?"
Clint still lying on the floor turned his head to the side to look at them giving them the most innocent look ever. "No." his response caused her and Natasha to once again laugh. Shaking her head Kagome ran her hand along Natasha's wound she healed it. Natasha smiled at the girl in thanks.
"Damn woman you bring me out of Hell only to put me on your back, if I was able to I'd beat your ass."
Clint and Natasha looked at Kagome and Thor with a confused look after trying to figure out where the voice came from.
"I though you went to Hell to retrieve a sword not a person." Clint said looked from Kagome to Thor. Trying to get one of them to say something.
"I am a sword you fool. If I was a human nothing could stop me…. Well something's could. Like wounds and shit." Kagome laughed as So'unga made a fool of himself. Stepping back she drew the sword to show Clint and Natasha. Both stared at the sword hiding their shock. As it looked at them.
"Met So'unga the sword of Hell. Don't ever pick him up. Because he will control you and make you try to take over the world." Kagome watched as the three in front of her gave a slow nod of understanding,
They made their way back to the main area of the tower where Jarvis said the others where. Opening the door they walked in only to have Clint and Natasha rush to stand in front of Kagome. Kagome quickly but a sutra on So'unga sending him to her room where it would be safe. A deep voice sounded from the middle of the room where the others where gathered. "Agent Barton, Agent Romanov, Thor please stand aside."
Steve watched in shock as no one moved as Fury had told them to. "No" Fury brow raised in question as he watched his best agents refuse an order. Kagome pushed the three out of the way and stepped forward to meet the man that made everyone tense. Seeing a dark skinned man dressed in a leather floor length jacket with an eye patch over one eye she could see why Tony called him Pirate.
"Ms. Higurashi I suggest you come with us," Kagome sensing that the man was not afraid to use force. Agreed and left the building with him.
Tony glared at Steve. Pepper was trying to calm Rhodey and him down but was unable to. Natasha walked up to Tony stepping in front of Steve. "What happened?" Tony looked Natasha in the eye and growled. "He called Fury now Kagome is going to be tortured for information." Natasha turned around to look at Steve who looked surprisingly guilty. Clint walked over, placing a hand on Tony and Rhodey's shoulders they watched as both men seemed to calm down. "All I did was ask for information on her."
"Because you thought she was a threat like Loki." Their heads turned to Shippo who stepped out of the shadows and walked towards Steve. "If she comes back and a single hair on her head is harmed or she is broken a little more Odin won't be able to save you." Steve looked at the man in front of him with shock. He hadn't meant for Fury to come to the tower and take Kagome in for questioning, though he knew he should have expected it.