Inuyasha YuYu Hakusho Crossover 1 Chapter 12

Healing Soul Chapter 12: Kitsune Confrontation

Leaving the shrine Kurama sensed it again. Very faint it was but unlike most of what he sensed at the shrine this was new, fresh, current. More than that… it was an energy type with which the spirit fox was innately familiar though not personally in this case. 'I thought so… kitsune.' Walking only a few paces away from the invisible barrier he paused in his steps to speak to the air around him without looking even towards where he sensed the other presence. "I do hope you do not think I have not noticed you."

He felt a ripple of irritation followed closely with laughter. "Could you turn those negatives around one more time?" When Kurama did not deign an answer but continued patiently looking off at nothing there was a tiny shift of energy near the current source of the voice that gave the impression of a shrug. "Well I did try… but though I had a bit of help in my training from some of the best it would also be disappointing if you didn't figure it out." The bodiless voice was both masculine and youthful in its tenor. "After all… it's quite an honor to be detected by the Legendary Thief."

Kurama frowned lightly into the night, eyes furrowing minutely as he reclined against a near wall with his hands in his pockets. 'I wonder what he could intend to imply… letting me know he has trained with masters or those with impeccable abilities. It does not give the impression of bragging. In fact… I am inclined to conclude this kitsune is being humble with the flippancy in which he mentions his training. It leads me to believe that whoever these 'masters' of his are they are either not widely known or not prone to share their secrets. …or both.' That it might indeed be both settled heavily upon the avatar, leaving him wondering even more curiously to whom the hidden kitsune referred. With an air of casualness he did not feel Kurama bent one leg at the knee to rest his foot behind him. One of his favorite 'blend into the background' poses and yet it did not alleviate his present dissatisfaction. He was not keen on titles of his basically 'former life' being tossed about in the Ningenkai. His newly acquired 'shadow' seemed to read this as well. "Don't worry, Minamino Shuuichi, I understand about keeping appearances. Really impressive what you did. How did you manage to time it to find her?"

There was no hiding the perplexed expression that overtook the redhead's face. "Excuse me?"

It was as if the 'shadow's' aura blinked while remaining hidden. "You mean you didn't?"

"I assure you –I had no intention of making a mistake that day." Kurama replied coolly, pushing off from the wall where he had been leaning to begin the easy stroll home. However there was more force than usual to his natural stride in his irritation. It was a difficult subject, and one he had no intention to just stand around discussing so near Kagome. Not when he had not yet told her his history. It pulled painfully at what remained of his good mood for he wanted to tell Kagome but the time never seemed quite right nor had she asked. It almost hurt the way she was content with not knowing if she was not always so happy with him. That, and their growing closeness…

"Really? You didn't? But that… hey wait!" Though he felt through shifting energies that continued to conceal rather than heard the scurrying above him Kurama continued his casual walk as if he had not. "Wow… Sesshomaru-sama was right. You really don't remember." Though it was muttered at a decibel imperceptible to human ears Kurama caught the odd words that gave him cause to wonder anew. It had been centuries since he was visited in Reikai by the Lord of the West, but now that he thought about it… there had been an air about the young lord that whispered hints that Sesshomaru believed there was a matter of importance of which Youko Kurama should have known but did not. Something that Sesshomaru himself had been perplexed to discover absent. That one such as Sesshomaru found interest in anything should have been curious enough. It was so subtle it barely registered then… but now it captivated his curiosity. Could it have to do with this kitsune hiding from him? Or even more… could it somehow involve Kagome? But that was illogical, that visit having occurred centuries before his miko's birth. For that matter: how exactly did this kitsune know the Lord of the West well enough to obtain such an obscure piece of information about him from someone who did not waste words? Not to mention someone who was known to be extremely reclusive. He would not ask however, as the unnamed kitsune had clearly been speaking to himself. That… and talking to oneself was often looked down upon and the more he spoke to his hidden shadow the more likely a random observer would see so there was no reason to comment when it would gain him nothing. But it made Kurama wonder anew… had he imagined the slight sadness and disappointment in the kitsune's voice? "Huh. Guess that answers why you took so long to get to her. Now it makes more sense why you never came to Goshinboku before today… Wish I would've got more out of him about that visit. Like pullin' teeth though to get anything and I don't have a death-wish." The unseen kitsune sounded more like he was talking to himself than to Kurama, causing the later to frown slightly in response to the soft murmur.

Kurama was beginning to get irritated when the disembodied voice spoke up almost cheerfully again. "Okay. Answer me this then: what was so impressive that it distracted the great Youko Kurama so much that he might drop his guard enough to get caught, huh?"

The avatar's steps slowed and paused. Green eyes blinked beneath a glowing streetlight as deep inside he looked into the past. 'How have I never thought about this?' Kurama wondered to himself. As he finished the heist he had been mildly distracted, as if sensing something without taste or scent on the breeze. Then there had been a pulsing, then a pure sense and a tug so powerful he had snapped his head towards the central castle of Reikai. It was like a soul being reformed and prepared for reincarnation, but such occurrences never garnered his attention before. They happened all the time. Certainly the processing of a simple soul had not been his great distraction. Although… it had been particularly large and exceptionally pure…

It was enough to pull him to dart across a flat grassy plain rather than to the security and seclusion of the adjoining woods –enabling that Reikai Special Defense Squad operative his moment of glory. Yet with all his years, all his boredom, Youko Kurama threw all his essence to grapple for life. So strong… So compelling. His whole being sang to live and so he did, pulling off a theory most never would have considered which had not been achieved before or after.

He could feel too-intelligent eyes upon him. "Oh my gosh! It was her wasn't it! I didn't really calculate it until now… but the timing would have been right. Of course we never knew an exact date or even year until… yeah. Woah. All that time… even forgetting… you were waiting for her!"

Kurama frowned, not liking that he was missing the connection this stranger found so obvious. 'What could he have possibly ascertained from my silence? Did I say or do something just now while my thoughts were on the time in question that gave something away? What pieces of the puzzle of my own existence does he know that I, apparently, do not?' "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Kagome." Kurama felt his already straight back stiffen at her name, his thoughts filling with memories of the smiling miko. His heart skipped a beat. He almost missed how reverently her name was spoken: the intensity with which it was whispered and hung suspended within the mysteries of night. It was uttered soft and tenderly, almost like a whisper devoutly upon the night breezes picking up and fading as they skipped through the streets around them. Almost missed it… because her name held such strong emotions for him as well. To hear it spoken with such affection was almost expected for it was as he felt she deserved.

"What do you know of Kagome-chan?" His voice was soft, then firmer. Protective. "I will not allow any harm to come to her."

"Woah there, buddy. I'm the last person about to hurt her or even put her in danger. I've been keeping an eye on her longer than you've known her and that's saying something." There was a laughter in the serious youthful voice that spoke of things unknown that at once annoyed and reassured the kitsune avatar. However there was no lie within the words. At least he could relax that Kagome was safe with this silent but protective stalker. Of course Kurama had noticed old traces of this unknown kitsune's presence around the shrine –that was why he waited as he did after leaving. They, like this kitsune, were so well veiled that any less perceptive than he would never notice their existence –and even he could not track where the traces went. Even so, he could determine little about the youkai other than he was kitsune and appeared to bear no trace malignance.

"Do you know who she is?" There was something odd about the tone of the question but the avatar could not guess what it might mean other than suspecting it likely held a double meaning.

Kurama made a mildly indignant face. "She is Kagome."

"Nothing more?" The tone was shocked, curious, and inquisitive. It was easy to imagine eyes wide and blinking in the darkness. Even so… there was something testing or interrogating about the question as if plying to see if Kurama was privy to some deep secret he knew not what. Yet though all that registered it was not to what the spirit fox reacted.

The avatar bristled. "I do not feel I should have to justify to you what Kagome means to me." Not when he was still exploring his feelings fully and had barely hinted at them to her.

The responding chuckle seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere all at once. 'This kitsune… he is a master of illusion. Only because I am so familiar with how fox magic tastes to my spirit senses can I even distinguish that much.' "Just checking, Shuuichi-san, just checking. Can't be too careful, now can we?"

Kurama made his face impassive, uncertain exactly where his invisible conversant was heading with this but suspecting as with everything else it had much to do with a certain miko. "Indeed."

"No need to get your pants in a twist. Geeze. Something rubs you the wrong way and you sound just like Sesshomaru –trying to show you don't care. It's okay, you know. We're on the same side."

As if to prove his point and gain trust the stranger let his tight control loosen for a fraction of a moment. Despite himself Kurama's head jerked up to trace it, green eyes widening at the flood of implications. It was barely a whiff of scent… hardly a hint of the kitsune's energy. Not enough to place whether it was familiar from vague recollections but enough to confirm other suspicions. It was enough to overwhelm Kurama so much so that he almost missed the youkai's drop of a certain honorific. Almost. Instead that tiny detail added even more mystery to the conundrum.

'It is official: he has been letting me sense his aura enough to get the barest taste of his uninhibited emotions. But… why? Why would anyone who could conceal so thoroughly leave even a trace as he has done? And why show me more now? Truly just to gain my trust? I must confess… there is something about his energy and scent that makes me inclined to trust him more than is rational for our present meeting.'

The night sighed with the unseen stranger. "Look… sorry for the third degree but truth is… I really wanted to thank you."

It was like being splashed in the face with cold water. "Thank me?"

"Yeah. What you told her… after you helped her with her trig? It really helped her." There was a pause, as if the hidden other were contemplating adding something before he continued. "She's not the only one's heart's been lifted with those words." The addendum was uttered so softly, so gently it was almost missed. The youthful tenor to which Kurama had grown accustomed at that moment gained an aspect of age before nonexistent that made more sense with the kitsune's apparent illusory mastery. As it was Kurama could not think of a reason for the gently sad feelings behind the comment and instead focused thought back to that first evening with the little miko. Like all his memories with Kagome it came back so clear. At least where it came to her –some of the background happenings were blurs. Running through what words he had spoken then, when it was she who had told a tale, Kurama felt certain when he came across the correct words. Little clues throughout the night fit together to confirm they were indeed.

"But I keep holding hope he'll find me..." "I'm sure he will." "Believe me… foxes will go through great lengths to find and keep something they treasure."

"You are the kit?" As curious as he was Kurama kept the question light. Deductive.

"Depends on who you're asking." Like whatever had softened the kitsune moments before was quickly sequestered and privately put aside the current tone was dancing. Teasing.

"Are you Sh-"

A rounded, spade-shaped leaf the same shade as his wide-shocked eyes snapped harshly over Kurama's mouth cutting off his words. The hand automatically lifted to remove it failed to even get a finger beneath the leaf before it was forgotten under the stranger's simultaneous vehement exclamation. "NO! No one but my mate can call me that until she can again!"

Pieces fell into place, but not nearly enough. More questions pooled to the surface of his thoughts. More possibilities. But did the pieces connect? More than ever Kurama itched to track down Hiei to discover if there were answers to be found in Makai. For the moment… the chance of answers HERE was too strong.

Nodding his acquiescence to the name stipulation Kurama felt the leaf pop before disappearing. Freed, he moved his lips together to rub feeling back into them before speaking. "You watch her… why not then reveal yourself to her?"

The anxiety that had been in the aura-less voice was now disappointment and sadness. "It's not time."

The strange kitsune's voice was so forlorn –Kurama could almost feel his years slip from him sensing beneath the mastery and time a lost, lonely kit. 'How is this possible? It would take centuries at least to attain the level of skill this kitsune has shown –or not shown as the case may be with the degree to which he is able to mask all aspects of his presence. But to be Kagome's kit…' Kagome was not old enough. Her sorrow was, but she herself was only her eighteen years. The only thing that made sense… 'Time travel. But that is illogical.' Yet it would explain so much. Maybe even how the sense of this kitsune's age alternated from infant kit to youth to centuries seasoned veteran with the barest shift of his voice. "Time?"

Mentally Kurama crossed his fingers. It had been a long time since he had bantered thus with another of his animal nature. It was quite likely as much balanced on asking the right questions as on what the kitsune was willing to reveal. "Yeah. We made a deal."

The spirit fox's mind raced. A deal? Wait… this kitsune was too powerful, too knowledgeable about the Ningenkai. Kurama could tell by the powers employed and what was between his words. He also was refreshingly companionable for all his annoying tendencies –something most youkai crossing the Kekkai Barrier were not. Add to that not only was he apparently not antagonistic towards humans in general and in fact quite overly protective of one in particular who also happened to be a rare, fully-functioning miko -the traditional bane of all youkai- and there was an enigma that with the kitsune's own words led to one logical conclusion. "Ah. A deal. Something that accounts for your ability to be here before the barrier was removed?"

It was a question he did not expect to be answered at all… yet it was. However ambiguously that may be. "Yeah. Something like that."

The phrase was said so easily, so naturally. Yet it reminded Kurama of Kagome in a subtle manner. It was something she often said in casual conversation: particularly when he felt he was on the right track to something about her past as an answer without explanation or lie. But was it a connection… or was he simply so wrapped up in the mystery of Kagome that he was seeing her in everyone?

Kurama nodded, reading from the tone he would get nothing more on that subject should he press the matter. Not that it was particularly urgent. 'This has 'deal with Reikai' written all over it as surely as our passages to Makai were so easily cleared when the then Makai lords wanted Yusuke, Hiei, and I on that side of the Kekkai Barrier. How in-depth is this 'deal'? Who does it include? I feel more than the kitsune for certain but nothing beyond that is conclusive. The mysteries twist and deepen.' "The time is soon though –to let her know?"

Concern for Kagome spurred the query and colored his tone. His uneasiness was rewarded as tense laughter touched with impending relief floated eerily upon the breezes of the night. "Very soon, the way things are going."

"The way things are going…?" Kurama hoped his voice did not reveal the anxiousness he felt facing the idea of so much unknown knowledge. 'Things? What things? Things in which Kagome or our friends or I play a part or things beyond our scope?' Then another thought struck. '"Soon" again. I wonder… is there any chance his 'soon' is the same as Goshinboku's?'

Now the other kitsune only chuckled. "Ah-ah. You should know better. One of OUR kind can't be tricked out of revealing any more than intended."

'So… he DID want me to learn all I have. However…' His musings were interrupted by a highly amused, almost teasing tone. "Oh… before I go… DO mention to that pretty hairdresser friend of yours that a certain businessman -though he loves their phone conversations- would really appreciate a visit. Hopefully soon." The tone alone was like laughing. This time a playful, intentional emphasis on the word that recently caught Kurama's attention. 'He's playing with me –did he 'hear' Goshinboku too? But he's not a nature spirit… he hasn't the same connection with plants… perhaps a different connection to the tree? And what's this about Shizuru?' "He misses the pleasure of her company."

Red hair flew with the force of his head snapping up. "What? Wait…!"

Laughter fading into the night was the only response. Kurama was stunned in its wake. 'He's gone. Back to the Shrine? Perhaps. But what was that about Shizuru's friend? She has not mentioned…. Ah –but of course she would not.' Replaying over his time with the elder Kurabara sibling he recalled no overly obvious signs that he could attribute her having a friend about whom they did not know. Of course the vast majority of those memories were overshadowed by a certain miko, but Kurama was sure had there been something it would have caught his attention. Caught his attention… There was one thing. 'The paper this morning. On the train. Shizuru was reading the same article, over and over. I remember wondering what could be so interesting to her in the business section… and this fox spoke of a businessman… Perhaps getting my hands on a copy of today's paper will divulge a clue. Sneaky Shizuru-san –keeping a gentleman 'phone' caller from your dear friends.' Even with other mysteries to unravel the thought of one more almost made him smile. 'And to think… it must be connected. For why would a likely A to S-Class youkai be interested in the emotional welfare and interests of a human businessman unless… he is something more than an average human.'

His steps had brought Kurama nearly home yet his thoughts were nowhere near concluded. The idea that Shizuru might have met a strong youkai worried him for a minute… until ration reminded him that even were that the case the woman's awareness would clue her in –even were he as shielded as this night's kitsune. 'There is no other choice… I MUST confer with Hiei tomorrow. I'll leave for Makai directly after classes. But first…' The fox avatar laughed to himself, merriment of the 'duty' ahead lighting in his emerald eyes as he stepped to his door. Normally he would balk at being so 'ordered' by a stranger but in this case Kurama would make an exception. It was a good thing with all their study nights he was easily privy to his friend's work schedule. 'I will stop in on Shizuru-san at her workplace to deliver my message.'

"You were not permitted to be seen." A chilling baritone cut through the air in a frighteningly quiet sort of way. As if snapped by the highly controlled words the being's youki pulsed and lashed with threatening precision.

Accustomed to this display the younger demon tried not to show his boredom through his respect but still his bushy cream tail swished from side to side behind him. "I wasn't seen." He said cockily, an impish twinkle lighting his eyes and brightening his tone. Idly his fingers rubbed an old seed that was always in his hair. Even after all this time the energies infused inside brought the fox comfort and in this moment more than a bit of pride. He really had not been seen –and he was quite proud of that accomplishment. It was not often he could test his skills against those with as much experience as Youko Kurama. It was a great honor.

"Yet you talked to that kitsune." It was an irritated accusation but still the cold tone was barely touched by it. Only from the centuries spent training under the stoic youkai gave the younger fox demon any clue to the emotions that actually flavored the proud speech.

"Hai." No bother denying it. Lying only led to things he would rather avoid. Seeing cold golden eyes narrow the fox had a hard time restraining a grin and in the end gave up. The silent daiyoukai wanted to ask him something but at the same time did not. Humorous as it was… things would go better if he answered the unspoken question. "I didn't tell him anything he couldn't have figured out on his own. Eventually. He really did forget." For a moment he could hear the disappointment in his own voice. It had hurt, even having been somewhat expecting it. Softly the fox demon sighed, then shaking himself grinned. "All I did was give him a nudge!"

"A nudge, hn?"

Sea-green eyes widened at the veiled hint of tease in his companion's otherwise calm tone. Then realizing he really was not in trouble he tossed his light auburn hair and laughed. "Yup! Just a nudge to set the ball rolling!"

The soft chuckle vibrating out from the cool lord was enough to shock the kitsune into almost losing his footing as if the sound in itself was an earthquake jolting the ground on which he stood. It was that shocking. "So be it. I too… grow weary of waiting."

Hearing that the fox relaxed and once more grinned. That had been a close one. And imagine that: mister perfect himself admitted to a weakness!

Author's Note: It's so nice when a chapter is already finished. ^_^ Everybody guess who the mysterious kitsune is? :big grin: Good! It should be pretty clear from back chapters even if you don't know 'Inuyasha' –I mean… my MOM figured it out. :laughs: And she 'gets confused with all the strange names' as she says.

Originally posted 6 November 2010

Edited 7 November 2010

Edited 22 May 2011: Fixed spelling of Botan's name on all files on my drives though it may be a while before I upload all the changes. Didn't notice I had it wrong. Oops.

Also added a small new paragraph and altered a few words.

In response to a comment, for the record I have chosen to use the alternate Kurabara Romanization spelling over the Kuwabara spelling. It's a choice, not a mistake. I have seen both used on 'official' items, though I will admit 'Kuwabara' is more predominant. As the true sound there does not accurately transpose 100% into Arabic letters and sounds I took the preference for the firmer 'R' over the softer 'W' for my writings. There is nothing wrong with either spelling from what I've been able to ascertain through some light research. It is similar to the Kilala/Kirara issue –between which I've chosen Kilala.

I've not forgotten this story and am hoping to have chapter thirteen up soon. Thank you.

Edited 27 May 2012