Chapter 10: And So It Begins

oOo

The Higurashi family sat quietly, eating their food as they tried to block out the shouting happening upstairs. Day four into Kagome coma like state, she had finally woken up. Of course no one knew about it until they heard her screaming at Hiei, said Hybrid yelling right back at her.

It was a tense wait as the family of three waited for the yelling to stop.

oOo

"Just drop the damn subject! It was nothing!"

"Don't lie to me Onna! I've known you long enough to know that that letter meant nothing! If you think me stupid enough to believe-"

"Leave it Hiei! I don't want to talk about it!"

"Kagome!"

"Hiei!"

Both stubbornly glared at one another, blue and red clashing like fire and ice. Neither wished to back down as their powers flared around them. Kagome, still weak on energy, found she was no match for Hiei. In a matter of seconds she found herself depleted of what little reiki she managed to recharge, slumping against her mattress. She panted, sweat dripping down her brow as she tried to at least maintain her glare.

Hiei signed before leaving, making his way into the bathroom to grab a washcloth and soak it. That done, he made his way back to her room and placed the wet rag on top of her forehead. Silent as a mouse, he went about her room, grabbing at her clothes and towel.

How sweet, Kagome thought as he came back to her and lifted her up. Hiei once more made his way back to the bathroom, depositing her on the toilet and went about filling the tub. Pulling out one of the flowers Kurama had give and crushing it over the water.

"What is it?" Kagome asked him, leaning over to gaze at the now purple bath water.

"A healing plant." He answered before pulling out another flower and handing it to her. "Drink three drops from the flower, three times a day. Once you've done that, take a bath." He ordered and left.

Eyeing the little flower she did as ordered, grateful that the nectar wasn't bitter, before stripping off the bindings. All that remained were irritated scratches and small bruises. Making a mental note to thank Kurama she slid into the tub.

'Will you tell Hiei of your plans?' Kikyo questioned her voice sounding oddly tired.

'No.' She answered in her head, not willing to risk anyone hearing her talking to Kikyo. Even if she knew Hiei already knew about her.

'So you intend to go about this plan of yours without telling anyone? You would have him clueless for the remainder-'

'Stop!' She snapped at the elder priestess. 'This is my decision Kikyo. I'm sorry you don't like it but it's my body, my life.'

When she got the response Kagome began washing her hair, jumping slightly when Kikyo spoke.

'You are right. Your body, your life. But I still think you are wrong.' She said before closing off the link.

Kagome huffed in anger, finishing off her bath and getting out. Quickly dressing she stomped her way back to her room, only to pause at seeing Hiei on her bed, waiting for her.

"I told you that I didn't want to talk about it, Hiei. Stop insisting!" She bit out.

Sending her a small growl in anger Hiei cornered her, backing her against her dresser. "I'll drop the matter for now." He said before smirking. "But I'm going with you."

Kagome's eyes widened in shock. "What?!"

"You heard me. I'm going with you, like it or not. But before you go," a wicket smirked graced his face. "We will be training day and night until you're ready."

'Well.' Kikyo cut it, amusement lining her voice. 'This is an interesting turn of events.'

oOo

Yusuke threw himself back onto his bed, palms digging into his eyes as he growled in frustration. He hadn't heard word of Kagome's condition. None of his friends ever mentioned her anymore. Kurama always gave him the run around when anything associated with her was brought up. Kuwabara decided it was better for him to keep out of the whole mess, but Yusuke knew he wouldn't have talked out of sympathy and sibling-like love for the Miko. Koenma and Botan kept him on a strict need to know basis, meaning that if it was serious, like death, then he would be told! But he doubted Kagome's spirit would even allow them to tell him.

'And I'm not even going to try Hiei! That fucker could go kill himself for all I care!' But even through he was angry with the smaller demon Yusuke missed his companionship. Hell, he even missed Hiei's snide remarks and insults. The team just wasn't the same anymore. Now he only ever did missions with Kurama and Kuwabara. Hiei and Kagome refused to be in the same room with him. Even Genkai acted cooler towards him!

"Yusuke!" Keiko's voice sounded from downstairs as she set herself in. "We're going to be late! Hurry up!"

He groaned once more. She had a friend who's mother worked for a community college nearby, and had managed to pull some strings. He would officially be attending college in the up coming month after he met with an advisor. Yusuke did not like the idea of going back to school. He wanted to continue fighting off rouges and working for Koenma. He wanted to come back and forth from Makai and rule over his old mans lands. Not listen to some idiot babble about shit he didn't give two shits about.

"Yusuke!" He eyes snapped open, his sensitive ears ringing, to see Keiko leaning over him. Her brown eyes were narrowed in anger, hands fisted on her hips. "We need to go now! Sakura-San worked very hard to pull these strings for you and I'm not about to look bad because of you! How do you expect to get a good job if you don't have an education? You can't live off of fighting!"

'Yes I can.' He thought. Koenma paid him enough that if he wanted to, he could buy a damn house and car right now and pay it off completely. He wasn't broke.

"Fine." He growled out making his way to the door before being stopped. Keiko tapped her foot on the floor.

"What?"

"..."

"What Keiko?"

"Are you seriously going to go dressed like that?"

Yusuke looked down, eyebrow raised in confusion. He was wearing his favorite pair of jeans, a comfortable black muscle shirt, and his white tennis shoes. "What's wrong with what I have on now?"

Keiko let out a small cry in aggravation, throwing her hands in the air and said whatever. She then proceeded to drag him out the door and down the streets, complaining about his tactless clothing.

oOo

Night had fallen rather quickly and Kagome was tired, especially since Hiei had decided to help her with her training. He insisted that she needed to be ready for their trip, meaning he worked her to the ground day and night. Tonight just so happened to be one of those nights. All she wanted to do was sleep. Throwing herself on her bed she didn't even bother with the blankets, falling asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

Her window slid open, a shadowed figure easily slipping through. The man quietly creeped towards her tired form, coming to a stop inches from her bed. Kneeling down he rose a hand to caress her face, stopping short when a whip snagged his wrist, a blade soon following, placed at the side of his neck.

Hiei's crimson orbs glowed with his anger, pressing his blade further into the mans neck and making him bleed. "Let's take a little trip, shall we."

Beside him Kurama tugged at the mans hand before sending his youki into his Rose Whip. Yellow flora bloomed along the whip before releasing a scentless purple fume. The mans eyes rolled to the back on his head as he fell toward. Hiei caught him before he could land on Kagome.

Sharing a look, both partners quickly vanished.

oOo

So I'm kinda rushing this I think. Im just trying to finish this story lol. Thanks for the reviews guys! Next chapter, our mystery man is unmasked! Only one person guessed right!