Family First
Disclaimer:
I do not own Inuyasha or Yu Yu Hakusho.
"Hiei thoughts" also "everyone else's thoughts as dictated by sentence"
"Yoko thoughts"
"Kurama thoughts"
Chapter 11: There's No Instruction Manual for Getting this Right.
A pin could have dropped, and a human would have heard it, five miles away. Kagome stilled, her hands freezing on Kuronue's forehead. Her eyes went wide and her breath stopped. She looked down at the man laying beside her, and then back up to Kurama.
Her wide eyes betrayed the panic racing through her head, but it was Yusuke that spoke his concern: "What the hell! Fuck! We're changing the course of history now? Damnit Kagome, we gotta, you know, rekill him!" He all but yelled, throwing his hands into the air and stalking away from the group.
Yoko surged within Kurama, reaching for control before Kurama could control him. Lungeing himself at the youth, the now transformed fox demon tackled Yusuke in a snarling rage, claws wrapping around his throat before Yusuke could defend himself.
"You will die before you can try!" Yoko ground out, his snarling making his statement barely understandable.
Yusuke tried and failed to land a blow on the silver fox, choking for breath as his vision started to blur.
Suddenly, a small figure landed hard in Yoko's side, throwing him off the detective struggling to fend off his attack.
Yoko hit the ground on his side, but flipped over his attacker so he had them face down on the ground his hand ready to impale the attackers chest and rip out their heart.
After a moment, he realized it was Kagome who had tackled him and had completely ceased struggles after tackling him. Blue met gold and he lowered his hand, but did not lift himself from his crouched position on her back.
Her breath was labored, but she did not struggle, nor was there any fear in her aura.
"We're not going to kill him Yoko. I wouldn't let that happen." She whispered, staring up at him with sincerity shining in her eyes.
Yoko started to calm from his rage induced haze, but coming out meant he finally felt the sword pointed at his throat.
Glancing to the wielder of the sword, he looked into the eyes of his comrade. Mentally, he finally heard the voices yelling at him in his head.
"Fox let her go."
"Yoko, stop right there, don't you dare hurt her!"
"Don't make me kill you Fox. The girl has done nothing."
The voices in his head were loud, and the chaos around camp was even louder.
With all the commotion, the entire camp had awoken, and now everyone was on the defense, ready to tear the fox apart. People were yelling from all directions, and Yoko growled in frustration.
Beneath him, he felt the miko shift, rolling over to face him.
Looking down into her blue eyes, his cold golden ones glared fiercely at the cause of all the commotion.
"Yoko. I won't let anyone hurt him. I did what I did and I changed history. I'll take responsibility for it." She said quietly, her hand rising to cup the side of his cheek. With her touch, the calamity around him faded away until it was just her. She smiled softly at him, and he felt the remaining of the red haze around his vision disappear. Standing up slowly, he felt the sword at his neck follow his movement. Kagome laid on the ground, her cheek bleeding from where he shoved her head to the ground, but she was smiling none the less.
Reaching his hand down she grabbed it and he lifted her effortlessly off the ground. Pulling her into his arms, he felt a wave of guilt enter his conscious, and he pulled her close to check her for further injury.
Finding none, he ran his tongue down the side of her check to heal the gash their.
Power exploded on his tongue and he was suddenly dizzy with intoxication. Her too pure miko powers surged in him, her blood tasting like some sort of heavenly drug. Vaguely, he knew that she was pushing him away, pulling away from his embrace. He shook his head to clear his thoughts.
Kagome was moving away from him, and all he could was stand there mutely and watch her.
In his distraction, Kurama pushed him out of consciousness, taking back control of the body. Red replaced silver and green replaced gold. Instantly, Kurama was on Kagome's heel, apologizing.
"Lady Kagome, I am so very sorry about Yoko's behavior, he didn't intentionally hurt you, I promise. Please let me look at that..." Kurama followed Kagome back to Kuronue's side where she knelt and looked up at Kurama with a smile.
"Kurama I threw myself at him while he had lost control out of rage. I should be lucky a gash on my cheek is all I have. I'm not the one you guys should be apologizing too." she looked pointedly at the detective behind him.
Turning around slowly, Kurama realized the whole camp was watching him, more than a few of them with their hands on their weapons. Even Shippo and little Rin were awake, Shippo holding her tightly as they both looked at him in fear.
Kurama boiled with rage at his counterpart. Forcing his anger away, he met the detectives eyes. His stance was defensive, arms crossed and his chin tucked as he glared at the redhead. Angry bruises ringed his neck, gouges in his neck from Yoko's claws dripped blood onto his shirt.
Clearing his throat, Kurama squared his shoulders and faced Yusuke with an open pose.
"I apologize Yusuke, for Yoko's behavior and he does as well. He should not have lost his temper like that and I should not have lost control of him in such a crucial moment." Kurama admitted openly, loud enough for the whole clearing to hear.
However, there was no response to his admission. With a sinking heart, Kurama realized that they may very well not forgive him for this transgression. He was operating in a pack, and it is highly looked down to turn on a pack mate, for any reason.
Even Yoko, within his head whimpered as the silence dragged on, his apology obviously not accepted by anyone in the pack.
"Guys, cut him some slack." Kagome's voice reaching out from behind him.
He turned to her, as she lifted herself off the ground.
She came and stood beside him, her head held high as she addressed the pack.
"If it was any one of us that was just threatened, it would be completely acceptable for one of us to fly off in a rage. To Yoko, this is someone who means the world to him, after more than 500 years of thinking he was dead; they had just been reunited, and Yusuke threatened to kill his barely alive partner. If it was someone in this group in the circumstance, you would all understand. But not when it was Yoko's life long partner?" She stated, frustrating creeping into her voice.
Nobody said anything to her rebuttal.
She sighed into the silence. "Look. I understand, I do. But I also understand Yoko's point of view. If it was any of you, I'd attack the person who said it too. Isn't that fair enough?"
The silence was deafening for a few more moments. When it became clear Kagome was not backing down from her position, the air in the tens group shifted slightly indicating a defeat. Finally, Yusuke dropped his arms, and his defensive stand as he shifted to look away from her piercing gaze.
He sighed as looked up the sky, the movement hurting his neck.
"You're too forgiving Kagome." He stated, and everyone else shifted in agreement.
"Who are you to say Kurama and Yoko shouldn't be forgiven. They make mistakes too." She challenged immediately. "Why are you so righteous to say that when you've attacked all of my close friends the moment you got here?!"
Kurama turned to her; "Kagome, please you don't have to.." He stated quietly as he felt her anger rising.
"No. I do have too. I insisted we go check out what happened. I insisted on healing Kuronue. I insisted on bringing him back here. And I brought this on the pack. Hell, I just changed history! So if there is anyone who everyone should be mad at it's me." She stated, looking at everyone.
Nobody said anything for a second.
Sango sighed, setting her boomerang back down in it's resting place and Miroku followed suit, setting his staff up against the tree.
"Well we can deal with this in the morning. I don't see any reason to be all up in arms. It's a simple enough situation and I really don't see the need for all the commotion. We all make mistakes guys, and as Kagome has said a million times, there are no instruction manuals for all this. Everyone apologize and go back to bed already." Sango stated, preparing herself for bed again.
Miroku nodded in agreement while he did the same. "Exactly. We can deal with changing history in the morning, either way the guy is alive and thats all there is. Nobody is going to kill anybody, since lady Kagome has taken it upon herself to deal with this mistake herself. Yoko and Kurama are sorry, nobody is hurt and we have got to start sleeping more and having these nightly meetings less."
That cued everyone to move to their own beds. Only Kurama stood still, watching the ground as everyone disbanded. As Yusuke passed Kurama, he clapped him on the back. "It's all good man, their right." He said as he went past.
Both Sesshomaru and Hiei nodded their agreement as retreated to their own trees.
Suddenly Kurama could breath again. Kagome bumped into him lightly and smiled up at him.
"Yoko okay? Are you okay?" She asked.
"We are both fine... Thanks to you. I appreciate your help Lady Kagome." He replied, finally looking her in the eye. The gash on her cheek had already closed and all that was left was dried blood and dirt.
She bumped his shoulder in dismissal and turned around to go back to Kuronue, who had yet to wake up despite the commotion.
"No biggie. It's hard to be the person that everyone disagrees with." She stated softly, laughing at the irony.
Kneeling beside Kuronue she began the process of cleaning him up. Kurama felt a twinge of guilt, being one of the people that stood against her when she stood up against the group.
Kneeling opposite of her, he too began cleaning up his old partner. His eye's, however, were on her. She worked diligently and softly, careful not to disturb his sleep. He was once again reminded of her work on Kuwabara and Yusuke at the beginning of their travels as well as her dedication to the wolf tribe when they were attacked a couple of days ago. Moments of Shippo and Rin's falls and scuffs that she took care of also replayed in his mind as he admired the woman across from him.
"Lady Kagome?" He found himself asking quietly.
Without looking at him, she hmmmed her acknowledgement.
Kurama surfed through this thoughts trying to find the right question but could not come up with the words to ask what he wanted. He settled on a simple; "Why?"
Yoko and Kurama tuned into the miko as she looked up at them, her hands moving more slowly as she turned her full attention onto them.
A small smile graced her face, she knew exactly what he was asking. "Why not?" She replied, returning to her work.
Kurama blinked. And blinked again. And for once, was not able to formulate a response.
"You know, I'm asked that question too much. Why do I do this. Why do I do that. Why don't I understand. Why do I understand. But I don't really have an answer. I do what my heart tells me too, even when everyone else thinks I'm insane. I have a sense of right and wrong that no one has ever been able to influence. Of course, I understand that my sense of justice isn't always compatible with reality." She paused for a second and then added; "But... It hurts." Her confession was soft, so soft he did not think he heard her correct, so he repeated her. "It hurts? What hurts, Lady Kagome?" He asked, even as he heard the others shift across the camp; an indication that they were listening.
It was a long moment before she responded.
"It hurts. All of it. The pain. The death. The betrayal. Everyone elses heartbreaks hurt me. There is so much pain in the world Kurama. So much damn pain. The world goes on and acts like it's okay, but I feel the weight of it crushing me. Sometimes... Sometimes I can't breath from the pain in my heart for people. When I add to it... Sometimes I fear I won't survive my own guilt." She stated sadly, her hands stilling.
She finally looked up at him and he saw the tears pouring from her eyes in a steady steam. Kurama was knocked breathless by the pain in her eyes. "It's all I can do to try and take away some of the pain. It's my only reason why." She whispered softly before wiping her eyes and dropping them back down to the task at hand.
Kurama sat for a long moment, both him and Yoko processing her words.
"She... She must be an angel. She's too good of a person to be mortal..." Yoko finally stated in his head, his voice filled with awe at the young miko in front of him. They both took her in, really looked at her for the first time in a long time. A young woman, younger than most, beautiful in so many ways. Who willingly spills her own blood to protect what she believes. Strong in her convictions, strong in so many ways; and yet so frail to the pain of the world.
Kurama could only agree silently with Yoko.
Across the camp, three sets of ears listened in on the conversation silently.
And no one could help but think similar thoughts about the young woman that they couldn't wrap their heads around.
Kurama stayed by Kuronue all night, him and Yoko going over how they were going to talk to Kuronue all night.
Kagome curled up beside the two of them and slept, one hand on Kuronue's chest, feeling for a heartbeat even in her sleep.
When they weren't contemplating their predicament, they were watching the miko sleep. She slept lightly, every movement waking her up. But the few times she fell into a deep sleep they got a chance to see how peaceful she looked. He realized then that despite her happy demeanor she was guarded and stressed all the time.
"Being the guardian of that cursed jewel will do that to you Red." Yoko purred in his mind, flicking his tail impatiently.
"Yes, but you would never know it by looking at her... She's always so happy." He thought sadly.
Neither of them spoke for a long moment.
Dawn was just peeking through the trees when the bat demon stirred. He came to with a groan, his hand coming to his chest where his mortal wounds were just hours ago.
Yoko and Kurama both shot straight up, nervousness encompassing them and their trains of thought going completely blank, despite all their debating. Slowly, Yoko took control of the body, a decision they had agreed on early in the night. Indigo eyes opened slowly, fluttering under the new dawn prelight. The bat demon sniffed the air, trying to gather his situation. His hand found Kagome's and his eyebrows furrowed. Looking down at the girl, Yoko nearly growled with impatient anger. It's been 500 years, and he looks at the girl first?
Kuronue then looked at Yoko and a grin broke out on his face. It was just like old times; his look conveyed a common look back in the day; who the hell is this broad and what the hell happened last night?
Yoko couldn't help the smile that graced his face. But it only took a moment before the grin fell from Kuronue's face as his memories returned to him. Sitting up suddenly, Kagome started awake when her patient shot up. Scrambling awake, she kneeled to his side, rubbing her eyes. A quick look at Yoko told her that he was handling the situation.
"Good morning Kuronue. How are you feeling?" He asked, his voice betraying nothing.
"What... what happened last night? I only remember bits and pieces." He asked, holding his head in his hand as he absently rubbed his chest.
"Last night... we failed a mission." Yoko stated hesitantly. Confusion cluttered Kuronue's face as he thought about it.
"That's right... those bastards caught my pendant as we got away.." he spoke aloud as he tried to recall what happened.
"I went back for it and..."
"You were impaled. Multiple times. As you lay dying, you insisted that I run." Yoko finished quietly.
Kuronue looked up and smiled. "You old dog, you never listen do you?" He stated cuffing Yoko on the shoulder.
"On the contrary." Yoko stopped him in his tracks, his eyes going cold to mask the pain in the words he was about to speak.
"I did run. And you died. And not long after, I died as well. Unwilling to admit defeat, I wandered bodiless until I could inhabit a unborns fetus with my soul." Yoko paused, allowing Kuronue to process this, although it was clear by the look on his face that he did not understand.
"I then inhabited this body as he grew. Him, and I share this body, with our two souls. It has been 500 years since I last saw you Kuronue." He stopped looking toward Kagome.
"Red, the boy I share a body with, and I got caught up in another theft and now work for the gods doing missions to protect humans. Our latest mission involves the woman to your left." Yoko stated nodding toward the miko. Kuronue whipped around, eyeing the girl suspiciously. For her credit, she just smiled and waved a short wave.
Looking back to Yoko, Kuronue opened his mouth to speak but Yoko held up his hand, "Please allow me to finish. The woman beside you is Kagome Higarashi. She is a time traveler. She is also the Shikon Miko. It was our new mission to protect her as she assembled it, 500 years in the past. I have gone back in time and this is the day after you died. She saved your life at the very last moment last night. You were basically dead, not long after I fled, but she used her miko powers to revive you, completely without my knowledge. She stumbled back into our encampment last night with your almost lifeless body in tow. I had nothing to do with it. It is a mere conincidence that she stumbled upon you and was kind enough to save your life." Yoko finished, and it was silent for a moment.
Kuronue looked back to the miko slowly, eyeing her in confusion. Kagome smiled and held out her hand. "Kagome Higarashi, nice to meet you Kuronue-san." She stated, smiling.
Kuronue looked down at her hand but did not take it. Instead he looked back to Yoko. "You expect me to believe that horseshit? You've either lost it, or this is one hell of a bad prank Yoko." He stated angrily, attempting to get up.
"You would think so. So allow me to show you Red." Yoko stated calmly, but his tail flicked back and forth.
Kurama emerged slowly, their features changing. Kuronue flexed his claws and growled as the green eyed youth opened his eyes. "Nice to finally meet you Kuronue." He stated calmly.
Kuronue prepared to strike, unable to believe this for one moment. But then he saw it; two souls. The soul of his comrade, and some unknown soul, sitting overlapping in this body.
Kuronue slowly lowered his hand. "What the hell is going on.." He thought, looking around him, first to the priestess sitting calmly, but worrying her lip at the interaction. Sniffing the air delicately, he scented for some sort of deception, but found none.
He then looked out to the rest of the encampment, filled with all sorts of scents and unknown faces, still asleep in the early morning.
"Kuronue allow me to introduce not only the miko's traveling companions but mine as well. The two groups have joined forces to defeat a hanyou by the name of Naraku. Surely you remember him propositioning us with the promise of power?" Yoko took over the body once more, spoke softly and slowly, allowing the bat the chance to process everything.
"You're not shitting me are you?" Kuronue asked, looking back to his partner in disbelief.
"I wish I was Kuronue. It is my deepest regret that I was unable to save you all those years ago and I am quite deeply indebted to the miko who has brought you back." He looked at the miko still kneeling on the ground, who blushed prettily and ducked her head.
Kuronue furrowed his brows in confusion before plopping ungracefully back onto the ground. Placing his head in his hand, he looked from his partner to the miko and back again. Sighing, he looked at the miko who was smiling shyly at him.
"Kagome huh? Well Lady Kagome," Kuronue all but purred as he stuck his hand out, mimicking the miko's early motion. Blushing slightly she held her head up as she reached out and grasped his hand firmly for such a small creature. "Just Kagome is fine, Kuronue-san." she spoke firmly.
Smiling coyly, Kuronue grasped her hand harder,pulling the miko up and into his arms in an instantly.
With a small eep, the miko landed ungracefully into his lap, wide eyed as he looked down at her with a sexy smile on his face.
"I am indebted eternally to you, Kagome," he whispered, "Consider me your slave." He said as he pulled her hand that was still held tight in his grasp, to his mouth and placed a slow, open-mouthed kiss on the back of her hand.
Within seconds, her wide-eyed expression changed and she rolled her eyes with an unlady-like snort. She rolled out of his arms and onto her feets expertly in seconds, taking the bat by surprise when the pretty miko was no longer in his arms.
Looking down at the surprised demon, she crossed her arms. "You're welcome, a simple thank you would have sufficed. You are free to travel with Yoko and myself, but I do not take slaves, nor will I stand for you hands-on approach to getting your way." She stated firmly, her blue eyes narrowed at the bat demon and her miko powers flaring for a moment to make her point.
Dumbfounded, the bat demon sat there for a moment starting at the little woman. He blinked. And again. On his second blink, he grinned looking around her legs to his partner. "I like this one, she's one hell of a mission Fox. You got the treasure yet?" He asked with a wink and a grin. Before he could blink, a foot came out of no where, catching him on the side of his temple, knocking his eyesight black as he hit the ground.
"I won't stand for that either. Watch it, bat." She stated coldly as he tried to blink away the black spots. He heard her walking away from him and he turned his head to look at his partner from his position on the ground. The fox looked at him with unabashed enjoyment as his tail flicked back and forth. "I'd watch it with her Kuronue. She's not some conquest you can conquer. And she has more than enough overprotective males willing to back her up if she can't take you down herself, which I doubt." He stated, nodding over toward the encampment.
Sitting up with a grunt, Kuronue took note of the multiple males watching him from the pre-dawn shadows.
Anger laced all of their aura's even as the miko went about making breakfast merrily.
"Damn. Woman has protection. I'm assuming you're categorized in that as well?" Kuronue looked over at his partner slyly, catching his gaze with is second meaning.
Yoko looked over to the woman who was preparing breakfast for the entire encampment. "Yes." He stated simply, confirming the bat's suspicion.
"If you didn't put her up too it, why did a miko of all people save me sorry ass?" Kuronue asked softly, looking back toward the woman.
"You will understand as you grow to know her. She is... a unique creature." Yoko stated just as softly.
"She did it of her own free will?"
"Yes."
"Did she know who I was?"
"She did not. Nor does she care."
"She runs around saving dying demons?"
"Frequently. As well as befriending people who murder, steal and hurt her."
"Is she alright in the head?"
"She's unusual, but sane, yes."
"She's from the future."
"Yes. A different type of woman than you're used too."
"Mhm. And you're from the future."
"Yes."
"Which means my Yoko is around here somewhere."
"yes. But not for long."
"Any way I can save him?"
"I don't want you too."
"You like sharing a body?"
Yoko paused. He did not really think about it like that. Cocking his head to the side, he considered it.
" I would not like to change the course of history. We already did it once, saving you." He stated after a moment.
"The Great Yoko Kurama, considering the fate of someone other than himself? You must be from the future." Kuronue said absently.
"Hm. Yes, yes I suppose so." Yoko found this mildly disturbing. But as he looked on at his comrades and miko woman and thought about not meeting any of them, he did not regret his words.
Kagome moved around the fire cooking breakfast while allowing the partners to catch up. As the smells of the morning drifted around the encampment, she felt and heard the others stirring. Her kit came awake after sniffing the meat in his sleep. Sitting up and rubbing his sleepy eyes, he looked up at his mom and smiled. As the sleep disappeared from his eyes and he was able to focus he cocked his head and observed his mom. His eyebrows furrowed as she worked.
Jumping up, he scampered up to her and bound onto her shoulder, startling her.
Reaching up one hand to nuzzle her almost too big kit, she rubbed her head against his affectionately, unaware how animalistic her motion of greeting was.
"Good morning Shippo, you hungry?" She asked.
"Mhmm. Momma what's wrong?" He asked playing with a stray strand of her hair.
Kagoe paused to look at him. "Nothin' baby. Why? Is everything okay?" She asked, pulling him off her shoulders and into her arms as she stepped away from the food.
Shippo played with her hair and didn't look up into her concerned eyes.
"You're tired momma. And you're distracted. You seem really stressed and bothered." He said, blushing under her full attention.
Kagome smiled down at him before pulling him close to her and cuddling him.
"You're so bright Shippo, you make me so proud." She said, nuzzling the top of his head. Unaware, Shippo's real mom used to do this to him as an act of affection and he practically crooned under the administration.
"I'm sorry I haven't been paying much attention to you lately. There's been a lot going on lately, and I haven't been doing a very good job at taking care of you." She said sadly, staring off into the treeline with a sad smile on her face.
"It's okay momma! I'm fine. I know you've got a lot going on. I just worry about ya. You never stop and I know you're tired." He said, puffing his chest out in pride.
Kagome chuckled softly and pulled him away to look at him. "My little man, you're almost too big for me to take care of huh? It's okay sweetheart, I'm going to be alright. How are you? Are you doing okay?" She asked, pushing his unruly hair out of his eye.
Shippo's smile was as brilliant as it was big. "I got you momma, I'm just fine." He said, sincerity shining in his eyes.
She smiled softly at him, her own eyes full of adoration for the child she called her own. Kissing his forehead softly, she cuddled him a moment more before returning him to the ground. "You let me know if you wanna talk about anything okay sweetheart?" She stated, crouching in front of him, as she straightened his clothes. He nodded his head at her.
Smiling once more, she kissed his forehead again. "Love you baby." She whispered making him smile widely as he scampered back to his bed ready to wake Rin up to play.
Straightening up, she turned back to the food was almost done.
Five pairs of eyes watched the unlikely pair with interest.
As breakfast got underway, introductions to Kuronue were made, back stories told in short. Everyone gathered around food, despite the tensions of the night before.
It wasn't long after that they were back on the road and all was right with the group. At the front, Kagome lead the way with Yoko, Kuronue and Shippo. The kit prattled on at length while the three adults indulged his chatter. But soon enough, Rin was calling him to come play along the wildflowers with her. After Shippo bound off the three were quiet for a long time. Finally, Kuronue spoke.
"Well Lady Kagome, how exactly do you plan on dealing with the problems saving my life has created?" He asked nonchalantly.
Kagome worried her bottom lip without meeting his gaze.
"I'm not quite sure. To be honest, I'm not even sure of the effects that it has brought." She stated quietly.
She sighed in defeat as her shoulders slumped. "I guess I'll just have to deal with it as it comes. I'll go back to my time and see if the world is any different. We'll contact Koenma to see if he has noticed a difference. I'm hoping I got off scott free though." She spoke, more to herself than to Kuronue.
Kuronue shot his partner a wry glance that informed the fox that he was not following everything the miko was saying.
Yoko nodded his understanding and promise to explain later, before Kuronue went on to Kagome; "Well all jokes and seduction aside, I do thank you for saving my life." He purred.
Kagome tactfully kept her eyes forward to avoid the embarrassment the bat demon sought to bring her. "Of course. You don't need to thank me." She smiled as she strode forward, meeting neither set of eyes.
"Very well. So Miko, are you going to tell me about this little mission of yours?" He asked, eager to keep her talking along the trail.
With a sigh, she began to explain the story another time.
Yusuke walked with Kuwabara along the road. Kuwabara was playing with the cat, making him very little company.
For the first time since he got here, he was tired. He missed his girlfriend and the comforts of home. Hell, he even missed his mom. This mission was wearing on him and it didn't look like it would be over anytime soon.
Kuwabara picked up on his down mood and set Kilala on his shoulder before shoving his hands in his pocket. "Urameshi, what's your problem?"
"Hmm?" Yusuke hummed glancing toward his partner from where his eyes had settled on the sky. "I'm fine." He stated gruffly, returning his gaze to the sky.
Kuwabara watched him for a second before sighing. "I miss home. I miss Yukina. I miss my sis. I'm ready to kill this punk and go home and sleep in my bed." He said, hoping his admission would help his long time friend open up.
"Huh. Yea, this is definitely one of our harder missions isn't it?" Yusuke said, looking toward his cousin.
"Yea but it makes for one hell of a story huh Urameshi?" Kuwabara punched his shoulder, lightening the mood instantly.
"So you mean to tell me, that the half breed nearly killed you and you allowed him to live because he was 'under her spell'?"Kuronue clarified, looking to his partner for assistance in understanding the small woman at his side.
"If you're having a hard time understanding; let me rephrase it." She snapped, looking up at him angrily. "He is my best friend. I would do anything for him, and I don't believe it's his fault. So yes. He is still alive, and he will remain that way." She stated coldly.
Before he could retort, Sango called Kagome's name from behind them, signalling that they should stop for a break.
Without looking back at them, Kagome started toward her friends to begin preparations for a light lunch.
"Huh. You weren't kidding. She's pretty strange." Kuronue stated to Yoko as they watched her walk away.
Yoko hummed before following suit.
It became apparent fast that the bat demon was sticking around.
His easy demeanor allowed him to fit in nicely, and it wasn't long before the others warmed up to him.
As night started to fall, Miroku saddled up to Kagome while helping with dinner.
Looking up at him, she smiled softly. "Hey you. How are you feeling?"
"I am well Lady Kagome. How are you?" He asked, dropping firewood down by her feet.
"I'm doing good. I feel like we haven't really had a chance to talk, with the sudden expansion of our group." She laughed softly, indicating to the others.
"I feel the same. I miss our evening talks. In fact, I was hoping you would take a walk with me tonight? I have something
I would like to discuss with you." Miroku said quietly.
Kagome looked up at her dear friend in alarm. Quickly, he waved his hand with an easy smile. "Fear not, Lady Kagome, there is nothing wrong, nor is it particularly urgent." He reassured her.
She hesitated a moment before placing a warm hand on his shoulder. "Of course! After dinner. I can't wait."
Miroku returned the smile.
After dinner, the two said their goodbyes and made their way towards a river that Shippo had suggested was not far from them.
They walked in silence till they were sure they were out of hearing range of their demon friends.
"So, Lady Kagome, what is your opinion of our new bat companion?" he started nonchalantly.
"Hmm. I like him well enough, although I haven't gotten a complete read on him. He seems quick to turn on people, but with Yoko on our side, I don't think he will." She said, speaking to the sky.
"I agree. He is a rather amicable man I think he will do well in our upcoming battles." Miroku smiled down at her.
"So you're not mad at me for saving him?" She asked quietly, peeking up at him.
"Not at all. I know you, Lady Kagome. I know that when your heart tells you something, you do it and you're normally right." He said, patting her back gently.
They had come across the river and settled themselves down on the rocks beside the river. Kagome slipped off her shoes and dipped her toes into the cold water.
Their conversation flowed freely, about their new campmates, Inuyasha, Naraku, the future. After a while, their conversation died out and there was a comfortable silence between the two.
Kagome sat with her knees to her chest, her head against Miroku's shoulder. He sat with his feet in the water, watching the moon.
"Lady Kagome?" He asked into the quiet night.
"Hmm?"
"I originally asked you out here for a reason.." He spoke slowly, as if he didn't want to say his next sentence.
"I was waiting for you to bring it up when you were ready." she said without looking up.
"The end is nearing." He said with a sigh.
"It is close, yes."
"My windtunnel is growing by the week."
Kagome's heart clenched, and she reached for her friends hand.
"Sango and I... we don't have any family. And..."
"And?"
"And... I wanted to talk to you about her. You know I am madly in love with her?"
She squeezed his hand in response, unwilling to interrupt his confession.
"I was hoping.. that because I can no longer go to her father... and her brother is out of commission..."
He looked down toward the river before turning so that Kagome was forced to look at him. He held their conjoined hands in between them as he looked down at her with the most serious look he had ever leveled the miko.
"Kagome... As the closest thing either of us has to family... may I ask you for her hand in marriage?" He asked her, the weight of his voice weighing down on her.
Kagome had to blink back sudden tears as the hair on her arms stood up in happy goosebumps at the complete sincerity in him.
"Miroku... of course! I want nothing more than the two of you to be happy and to love eachother with all your hearts!" she said, pulling the monk in for a huge hug.
He hugged her back and pulled away with the largest smile she had ever seen on his face. "Thank you so much Lady Kagome, I wanted your blessing more than anything. As.. as the only other holy person around... would you do the ceremony?" He asked breathlessly, his eyes glistening with his own unshed tears.
Kagome choked back a sob as she shook her head yes, vigorously.
Miroku pulled her in for another hug and squeezed her tightly. "I'm going to go ask her while she is still awake." He whispered to her. Pulling away he kissed her forehead and got up from the rock. He held out his hand but she shook her head no. "I'm going to stay out here a while, if that's okay with you."
He nodded his affirmative. "I plan on taking her to a beautiful climbing tree I saw a ways back. Please be careful Lady Kagome and call if you need us." He said, turning and hurrying to go ask the woman he loved to marry him.
She watched him go before wiping her eyes and turning back toward the river. Pulling up her knees to her chest once more she stared at the moon reflecting in the waters.
"I'm so happy for them.. I couldn't imagine a better couple. Things are finally comming together." She thought, smiling at her two closest friends. "Inuyasha should be here to see this..."
As the thought crossed her mind, the tears welled back up, this time in sorrow. She couldn't help but feel sorry for herself. Sango and Miroku were going to get married. They were going to love each other until their last breath. "But Inuyasha couldn't love me the way Miroku loved Sango..." With that, the tears poured out, and she sobbed into her arms.
As she cried, she failed to notice the hybrid appear beside her on the rock.
"Miko, what has harmed you?" Hiei asked gruffly, drawing his sword instantly.
Kagome's head jerked up in shock, her red eyes making her ocean blue iriss gleam in the night.
"Hiei..." She whispered, her voice cracking.
Hiei stared down at her for a moment, before crouching and grabbing the back of her neck, pulling her to him.
With an umph she fell forward and braced herself on his chest, her hands splayed to balance herself.
He proceeded to sniff her neck and hair, looking for some sort of injury.
"Hiei.. I am fine... I'm not injured." She whispered as he nuzzled his nose into the junction of her neck searching for a sign.
He jerked back and narrowed his eyes at her. "Then why do you cry Miko?" He asked coldly, letting go of her neck and pulling away from her.
"It's nothing.." She whispered, wiping her eyes and looking away from the hybrid.
Suddenly his hand wrapped around her arm and he hauled her to her feet. "I did not take you for someone who cried uselessly. Only weak people do that onna." He stated, grabbing her face to force her to look at him.
When she finally looked at him, his stomach dropped. The sadness in her eyes did not settle well with him. Her tears were setting off an unknown reaction in him that he was unable to place.
"I'm sorry.." She said and looked towards his boots.
"Explain yourself." He said, letting her go and crossing his arms across his chest.
"I'm fine Hiei...really..." She started, but a vicious growl errupted from him, causing her to flinch.
She was silent for a moment longer. "I was just.. feeling sorry for myself." She whispered, not meeting his eyes.
His silence forced her to elaborate. "I... I was thinking about Inuyasha and... it just hit me all over again that he didn't love me the way I love him.." she whispered, more tears filling her eyes and spilling over her dark lashes.
She hid her face behind her hands as she cried, desperately embarassed to be seen like this in front of the ever strong demon in front of her.
"I-I'm sorrr-r-ry. I know I look path-e-tic. Bu-but I can't help i-it." She choked out, crying into her hands.
Hiei stood staring at the miko in shock. He was intensely uncomfortable at her sobs. Unsure how to handle the situation, he did what he did best and scoffed at the miko.
"Woman do not be a fool. If that half-breed did not love you, then you should not waste your pathetic emotions on him. I never pegged you for such a weak woman." He stated snidely, a smirk on his face as he expected her temper to rise in response to his callous words.
What he got instead was louder sobs. His eyes widened when her sobs increased in volume.
"Of cour-course I'm weak. That's wh-why he didn't love me. I co-could never be as good as-as Kikyo!" she whispered dejectedly as she sobbed.
At hearing this, Hiei's eyes narrowed. Within seconds he grasped both of her wrist in his hands, yanked them out and away from her face and he held them out from her person.
"Miko you will refrain from such foolish banter. If the half-breed could not see your worth, then he was a bigger imbecile than I originally thought. You are better than that undead bitch in every way, and I will not hear you say otherwise." He growled down at her, his growl releasing his hot breath across her face.
She blinked at him, her eyes wide in surprise.
Hiei found himself lost in her too-blue eyes. She looked so fragile, standing there in the moonlight, sadness reflecting in her eyes. Although he knew different, he had the undeniable urge to protect the small miko from the world outside of her; so cruel while she was so kind.
"Hiei..." she whispered and his eyes were drawn to her pink lips, mouthing his name softly. His name had never sounded so good being said by another person.
Before he knew what he was doing, his lips descended upon hers as he smashed his lips to her mouth in a hot kiss. She was still a moment, her body tense, but she melted against him within seconds.
His kiss was like his element; firey, overpowering, all consuming. Her head swam as she kissed him back, his grip on her wrists loosening and her arms instinctually intertwined around his neck and found placement in his hair.
His arms wrapped her waist, pulling her roughly to his body as he ravished her.
She moaned when his tongue forced its way into her mouth, consuming all of her and making her mind go distinctively blank.
She returned his kiss with just as much passion, her hands gripping his hair tightly and crushing his mouth to her.
After many minutes, she felt herself going lighthead; her grip on his hair loosening as she pulled away.
Hiei let her go reluctantly, his own breath ragged as his red eyes blazed into her blue ones. Their faces were still dangerously close and their breath mingled in the small space.
"Hi-Hiei...Whhaa.." She breathed, resting her hands on his shoulder.
"If that fool did not love you, you need to be stronger than your foolish human emotions. Someone else will love you in his stead." He said quietly, and was gone.
With a gust of wind, the hybrid was no where to be seen.
Leaving the miko standing in the moonlight breathless and confused, but no longer crying.
That's a wrap folks! Let me know what think! We have many chess pieces moving right now! THIS DOES NOT MEAN THE PAIRINGS ARE SET. Well. Besides Miroku and Sango. lol
Bwahaha As always please review with your comments, opinions, and thoughts. I would greatly appreciate the input!
Okay, reviews from the last couple of chapter:
Chapter 9:
KEdakumi: Thank you!
gurlygenes: Hope the chapters are still meeting your expectations! Thank you so much (:
kristina. .3:Thank you so much! I'm glad you are seeing the deeper connections I am trying to draw out. And don't
worry, there is still PLENTY of room for a kurama/yoko romance.
Gizmo369: Thank you! I hope they keep coming out to meet your standards! I'm trying my hardest!
Izno: Thank you so much! That was the sweetest comment ever :')
gincitri: Thank you! (:
Lady Artimes Blaine:TADA! here it is (P
Motoko The Red Queen: YES! I am a sucker for my favorite guys all rivaling for my favorite heroine! (:
Kuragehime94: I'm sorry! That was a particularly evil cliffhanger... better? :D
rspringb: Thank you so much!
Valleygoat: Thank you so much! Let me know where I could improve (:
Chapter 10:
BookFinder: I know! Left hook :D I was excited about that shocker.
Aozora12: Thank you so much! stay tune for more excitement!
Lady Airtimes Blaine: Bwahahahaha after my last leave off, I am glad you're excited. I love him too! He's here to stay, I'm proud to announce! (:
Sugar0o: The possibilities are endless! A simple kiss doesn't decide our dear miko's fate! Bwahahaha. ahem. I'm glad you like it, thank you! (:
kristina. .3: haha thank you! that literally came out of no where, and I was glad it fit so smoothly. Bwahahaha Hiei has made the first move! Don't know where that came from either. But, do not fear! a kiss doesn't decide her future.
(; I happen to think that she should be made aware of the different rivals for her attention. Thanks for reviewing! I always look forward to hearing from you! and my chapters should come more rapidly now (:
Gooberdee: Thank you! I'll try to not leave it on a cliff hanger for a while =P
Kira Kyuu: Thank you for reviewing! Hope you like our newest addition (:
amari: Thank you! It's great to see you still reviewing, thank you!
erica: haha thank you! let me know what you think of the newest chapter (:
gizmo369: I just keep leaving you hanging! I'm sorry! maybe this chapter made it better. (: