Continuing on....

Chapter 12

The Beginning of the Junior Championships

As she walked, Kagome began to think on the past day or so. Yesterday had been rather strange. After the two spike-haired fighters rejoined the group, all the fighters were introduced to the punch machine. Evidentially this thing was supposed to test their strength and determine who would be fighting in the tournament. As it was announced, it drew many annoyed growls from several of her friends. Yusuke and Inuyasha both declared that it was a stupid idea and had formed a momentary truce over their mutual agreement, while Videl was practically grinning. She had gone on and one about how she and her father were going to get the absulte best scores, making everyone by the day want to hit her.

Videl had followed their group all day and her non-stop chatter about how great she and her father were made everyone want to make her suffer for her stupidity. Kagome reasoned it wasn't her fault. Videl had grown up with a fool who evidently was good public speaker who'd somehow managed to fool the entire world into thinking he was a hero. Kagome felt a little sorry for Gohan; because every time Videl would mention anything about cell, he would flinch as if remembering the past or restraining from knocking the moody bitch straight to hell.

Kagome found it amusing after she'd embarrassed the girl, how Gohan seemed to take pleasure in sticking close to Kagome or walking next to Yukina. Kagome was no fool; she knew what he was doing and didn't see a problem with at. As long as her sister-like friend wasn't hurt in the process, then she was okay with it.

And also, it had taken some time but Kagome had finally analyzed just who and what everyone was. She was surprised but not shocked to learn Goku, Gohan, and Vegeta, along with their sons were saiyans. She'd heard of them through Sesshomaru, but had not read much into them. They protected the planet when others could not. She knew about cell and about how Gohan defeated him and she also knew about Vegeta being the prince of them all; not surprising since he'd barely talked to anyone but Gohan and Goku, unless it was an insult.

Also she learned that he'd somehow found a bond with the little koorime, Hiei.

Oh, yes, she also knew who he was and who Yusuke, Kurama, and Kuwabara were. Being that Yusuke was her cousin, she'd known about his death and his suspicious comeback. She also knew that Kurama was a human, housing a youkai in his body. It wasn't hard after picking up some of their more than amusing mental conversations. She found it interesting in that they seemed to feed off each other's strengths and disadvantages. She was intrigues and wanted to get to know Kurama better; his human self and youkai self.

Kuwabara, she gave no thought to, although he had some spiritual power. And she could tell, even if he wasn't always bright, he had a good heart. The one thing she disliked was his misplaced feelings for Yukina. Yukina was her blood sister and seemed oblivious to the moron's apparent love for her. Kagome knew that had to stop. She smirked, though, as she remembered Gohan. Oh, yeah, Kuwabara would be stopping soon, or the powerful saiyan would skin him alive; as soon as he admitted it to himself that he was falling for the ice apparition.

As for Hiei, Kagome knew little about him, although she knew he was a koorime and a killer with a jagan eye. She also knew, just like Yukina knew, that he was Yukina's brother. Yes, it's true, Yukina knew. She and Kagome had spoken of this several times since the start of the tournament. Kagome had spotted it right away and asked the younger youkai about it. Yukina had made it known, that yes she knew about Hiei; she was just waiting for him to get up the guts to tell her the truth.

"Oi, Kag-Kage, where have you been we've been waiting for you forever," Shouted Yusuke, when Kagome was within in hearing distance. She smiled at him, before walking over to the little group. Gohan, Yusuke, Kurama, Mirai (I'm just going to use Mirai from now on, because I like that name and don't want to have to keep typing Trunks after it) and Yukina stood waiting for her.

"So, are you ready to watch the junior division, Kage?" Kurama asked politely, when she reached his side.

"Why, yes, Kurama and I believe the fights will be very," she slid her gaze to Yukina's catching her eyes before smirking and murmuring, "interesting."

While everyone looked confused, Yukina let out a gasp. "What's wrong, Yukina?" Gohan asked gently, searching for any dangers. Kagome made a mental note to tease Yukina about it later....preferably at their wedding.

Yukina blushed a bit but answered as everyone started walking and staring at her questioningly.

"Oh, Kage, you didn't, did you?" she asked, a grin forming on her face.

Kage (Kagome) merely smirked at everyone. "Why, Yukina I have no idea what you're talking about," she smiled innocently walking ahead of everyone, whistling a happy tune. Yukina began to laugh as everyone still looked confused.

Kurama, being the nosy fox he is and with urging from Yoko, ran to catch up with her, everyone following the couple. "Didn't do what?" he asked when he was standing next to her.

She smirked before glancing at everyone mischievously. "Oh, you'll find out," she answered smoothly, before brushing by him, sending shivers up his spine.

"Oh," he returned pathetically. What just happned.

Did she do that on purpose? he asked mentally. He caught her smiling at him and was shocked when she winked, before hurrying on. There was no doubt about it, Kurama knew she'd done it on purpose.

Ok, Yoko popped into the back of his mind. Did you see that look on her face? Yoko was hopping around like a happy bunny. She's planning something, Kurama she wants you!

And how do you know that, Yoko, she could have been playing around.

.......Kurama haven't I trained you yet? When a woman walks by you and purposely brushes against you and then winks about it.....

Yeah, well, He couldn't really think of a good reply, so he just shut up.

Hey, you are talking about our future mate. We must know if she is serious. Follow her, play with her, make her want you.

Yoko, she is not our future anything. Future friend maybe but-

Yeah, yeah, red you say that now....friends with benefits perhaps.

Ergh, Yoko, I don't need this right now. Kurama turned serious. Anyway, what about that dream last night? You didn't take a mate and never tell me did you?

What, no that wasn't me....You'd think I'd remember something like that. Yoko grew serious. Kurama I think something strange is going on. I feel like there's something I'm supposed to remember, something important, yet at the same time something keeps blocking it.

Hmm, yeah I feel like that too....anyway...

"Um, Kurama man, you okay?" Gohan was waving a hand in front of his face. Kurama looked up and his vision cleared. Gohan was staring at him bizarrely while Kage carried a suspiscious look on his face.

"Oh, he's fine. He does this all the time," Yusuke added, trying to be helpful. He swirled his finger around his head in a crazy manner. "Don't worry about him, he's crazy....thinks he's got a youkai living in his head....split personalities....you know what I'm-"

"That's enough, Yusuke," Kurama exclaimed, covering his mouth. Yusuke was giving too much information away. He was about to pound Yusuke's head in when he heard the strangest sound. It was Kage and she was bent over a tree laughing her ass off. And it was directed at him.

"Ha ha ha ha," she laughed, tears streaming down her face. She began walking away again still laughing. "Kurama has split personalities," she burst into laughter again, leaving everyone staring at her. "Oh, that's a good one, Yusuke!!"

Everyone looked at him and he shrugged before following the laughing woman into the building. Once inside, they were quickly found by Kuwabara, Hiei, Goku, and Vegeta, who were anxiously awaiting the junior tournament to begin. They stopped to stare as Kagome walked by, still chuckling slightly, and shrugged.

"Hey, guys," Goku cried merrily, waving in his goofy manner. "Hey son."

Gohan inclined his head, smiling slightly. Yep, that was his dad, always cheerful before a fight. He nodded to Vegeta and Hiei who returned the favor.

Mirai Trunk appeared a minute later, after having disapeared earlier. "Hey, guys, I just returned from bringing Goten and Trunks down to the locker rooms. They're getting ready as we speak. And what's up with her?" Mirai asked as he pointed to the doubled over Kage. She looked up at him and her laughing died down.

"It's nothing," she said, wiping away her tears. "It was just something Yusuke said. Don't mind me."

"Yeah," Yusuke added. "But don't listen to her. She's just as crazy as they come." A second later, she appeared behind Yusuke, her movement missed by all as they stared in shock.

"What was that cousin?" she asked, brandishing her sword.

"N-Nothing, Kage," he stammered.

"Threatening people already in the morning Kags," Another voice piped in, one she recognized as Inuyasha.

She turned to the smiling half-demon who had altered his appearance so he wouldn't stand out so much. "Why, little brother, you know Kage can't go a morning without threatening someone bodily harm. It just so happens that today is a special day and so she is happy," Piped up another smooth voice as Sesshomaru appeared out of nowhere, startling the Saiyans.

"Okay, how do you people keep doing that?!!!" Vegeta demanded, frustrated. He hated feeling all these new auras, knowing that from what Hiei had told him, they were youkai auras. He stepped back as Kage turned her eyes to his, smirking. "Oh, you'll find out later. For now, lets hurry; I don't want to miss the fights."

"Yes, Kagome-san is right," Kurama agreed.

"Yea I can't wait to see Goten fight. I wish I'd been around these past seven years to see it!" Goku agreed.

Kagome looked to Gohan and Gohan shrugged. Then he just blinked and turned away. Okay that was weird. She turned to see Kurama still standing next to her.

"Well, Kurama, shall we," she asked nodding her head foreward.

"Why, yes, Kage," he offered her his arm before leaning down to whisper in her ear. He brushed a hand across her lower back, making sure no one saw her gasp in surprise.

"This was for earlier," he whispered, causing her to shiver this time. "And this," he brought his mouth to her neck and licked it seductively, "this is for later." With that he released her and walked into the building, his chuckle blowing back towards her with the breeze.

Well, that is the next chapter and I couldn't resist thowing that little Kur/Kag scene in at the bottom. I know if you're a Kag.Kur fan you're waiting for some steamy moments and let me tell you they're coming. But not until after the Junior Tournament is over. Then there will be a break and things will start to pick up. Just be patient because my story is starting to pick up a bit and I will warm you to read carefully. Lttle hints are everywhere.

Love,

me