I do not own Inuyasha or Yu Yu Hakusho fandom or characters. They belong to Rumiko Takahashi and to Toshihiro Togashi. I do not make any monies or profit from the writing of this story.

Thank you, thank you to those who took the time to review and to those who made this story a favorite! As you can see from the title this is a re-written version of my original story. I hope you will enjoy it just as much. I really love to hear your thoughts and comments...Please let me know what you thought of this chapter as well whether good or bad. Thank you again!

Enjoy,

DawnFire_ice

Chapter 12

Being immortal made some things that had once seemed important loose meaning and others become vital. Perhaps it was time he set aside his own petty fears and faced them head on. Beginning with the most important, he looked at the half finished meal and decided. He reached up to untwine her arms from his neck and startled her. She jumped away from him with her cheeks bright red, but he didn't give her time to be embarrassed as he tipped her face up so he could see her eyes. Something about the serious look on his face made her eyes widen.

"Kagome, I want you to properly meet my sister, Yukina." The smile she gifted him with left him breathless.

oOo

Hiei cleaned up the kitchen, as he preferred his house to be in order and without chaos. While Kagome changed out of her casual clothes that she had gotten blood on, Hiei went to inform Yukina that he and Kagome would be joining her for dinner. Not in so many words of course but enough to make certain Kagome ate.

He had to admit that he was a little disappointed that he would not be eating Kagome's cooking again yet. Although it could never be said to be as gourmet as one of those restaurants Kurama insisted on going to, there was something distinctly to his liking in her cooking and he would not mind eating it every meal for the rest of his immortal life, not that he'd ever admit that aloud. Still having her cook in their home was something he was greatly looking forward to.

He swallowed thickly. It was the first time he'd ever considered his house a home. Before it was simply a place to take shelter from the rain and the world when things became too intense to bear; now with Kagome there it had taken on a new role. He wasn't certain what that change would mean yet but he found that he certainly wanted to discover how it might. He was eager to return and to do something so human he wanted to hit himself, but he wanted to anyway. Deciding just this once to indulge his foolish desire he returned to the house...

Upon opening the door he called out quietly- "Tadaima." It was not custom to announce ones presence in the Makai as it would most likely get you killed than greeted, but Hiei had seen Kurama do the traditional human greeting and had always wondered what it would be like to be welcomed home.

"okaerinasai," Kagome called from the upstairs as she was closing her door to come down. Hiei's heart swelled at the pleasure of those simple words and allowed a smile to curl his lips as a shiver of some foreign emotion washed over him. Yes, there were certainly going to be changes in his life. If he could feel like that every time he returned to his house he would use the human custom more often.

Hiei lifted his eyes to watch her as she descended the stairs. Even dressed as simply and modestly as she was, he felt desire wash through him. Kagome, wearing jeans was positively indecent with her figure. The curves hidden by her traditional robes were prominent now and the light blue t-shirt brought out the blue in her midnight hair and the shocking blue of her eyes.

Kagome wanted to crawl under a rock. She kept glancing down at Hiei hoping he had not been aware of the thoughts she had entertained upon hearing him call out in greeting. It was like they were a married couple, him, helping her cook and then calling out as he came home from a hard day of work. "Hello lover how was your day?" she had asked in her fantasy as she hurried down the stairs to greet him. Pulling him to her for a scorching kiss reminiscent of the one in her dream, and him scooping her up in his strong arms as he carried her back up the stairs to… (Is he smiling? Oh wow, I think my knees just went weak.)She could help but to return such a sight with a bright smile in return.

She smiled at him and he forgot how to breathe.

"Hurry up, onna." He said after swallowing back the desire that had been stirring since he'd kissed her in her dreams. He lightly licked his lips and looked away. This onna was going to be the death of him one way or another. Either he would die of suffocation or he would die of his desire for her driving him mad and Kurama killing him to keep the peace. His eyebrow twitched; yes, that Youko would just love that. He reached back and took her small hand in his ignoring the heat that radiated through his cheeks making them slightly pink. Ugh, it had been far too long since he'd been around women, if he was blushing like a virgin. Maybe going to the Makai wouldn't be so bad; at least he could vent his sexual frustration by killing something.

He took her to the temple and left her in the courtyard as he went to check on something that he had sensed on the edges of his awareness. Kagome deciding she could make herself useful went looking for the kitchen.

oOo

Finding the kitchen had been harder than it should have been, but then again she had not been given a tour of anything but Hiei's old room and Kurama's room. Once in the kitchen though she found all of the ingredients for Oden and began to prepare the dish using the recipe her mother had. Soon the scent of the preparing food began to drift around the shrine and began attracting attention.

Yukina sniffed and then left the garden where she was gathering the vegetables for the evening meal. Someone was cooking in the kitchen and it smelled really good. It tugged at her memory, something from long ago. Leaving her basket where it lay she hurried to the kitchen and stood in the doorway with her hand to her mouth. As the woman spun Yukina saw her face and everything clicked.

While she cooked the food Kagome hummed the lullaby under her breath. Then, deciding that the song made her sad, she began singing a pop song in her soprano. Finally she was dancing around the kitchen as she finished preparing the meal.

"Kagome-sama?" she breathed softly. She remembered the kind Miko who had saved her life as she had unwittingly gotten caught in a battle. The Miko had healed the gash in her side and nursed her back to full health.

That Miko now was cooking a meal for everyone in her kitchen, Kagome-sama, she looked slightly different now. The innocence that was once in her eyes had been replaced with a knowing wisdom one could only gain through experience. Her skin had a pearlescent quality that shimmered faintly in the light as she moved around the room. The awkward teenager had been gifted a warrior's grace and fluidity. A movement in the doorway drew her attention to Hiei-san who was watching the woman dance. The look in his eyes told everything- he was in love with Kagome-sama.

As she spun again a glint of gold caught the Koorime's eye and her eyes widened. The stone that Kagome wore was a hiroseki stone, but she had never seen one of that particular color, the dragon holding that stone in the pendant she had seen before, on Hiei-san's arm. She felt her eyes prick with tears…

…Nii-sama...? "Hiei-nii-san" she gasped softly and was unsurprised to see his crimson gaze matching hers. He looked at her without hesitation. In her mind she went over every instant she had interacted with Hiei and realized he had always been there to protect her like a brother should. She had suspected for a long time but now she had irrefutable proof. His tear gem. Only a child of Koorime descent could create them. And the red she assumed was from the hiyoukai blood of his father. She wiped her eyes so there was no evidence of her discovery save the look in Hiei's eyes.

When she turned around to pick up the plates, Kagome found that she had an audience. Kagome blushed as Hiei smirked and took the plates from her. Yukina walked over to the stove and lifted the lid. "Wow, Kagome-sama, your cooking has come a long way from those noodle things."

Kagome frowned. "I was always a better cook than the ramen noodles; he just happened to be obsessed with the things. I was sick of it the third day I had them. I went out of my way to prepare meals but he was never happy, the dog."

Yukina giggled. "I remember." Kagome smiled at her, as just like that time fell away from between them and the friendship they'd been building before resumed.

Hiei watched them with a soft look in his eyes. Yukina knew and Kagome had a friend, everything was going so much better than he'd ever hoped…

"Oh, I am so glad I got to see you again Kagome-sama, I am leaving for America in a week to join Kazuma. He asked me to marry him."

Or not…, Hiei's eyebrow twitched with annoyance. He just got his sister in his life for real and she was leaving to meet that oaf why?

"That is so romantic Yuki-chan." Kagome sighed as they walked out the kitchen door and to the dining room.

oOo

Hiei thought of his friends silently as he watched his sister and Kagome. It was not hard to guess the thoughts that were going through Yusuke's mind even though Hiei had never linked to him as he had the Kitsune. More than the Kitsune Hiei valued Yusuke for his open honesty. He did not try to hide his longing but also kept himself in check. Hiei knew Yusuke too well to worry that he would try to steal her from him. It just wasn't in him to think or even act in such a manner. More than anyone he understood why Yusuke had left. In his place he would likely have done the same.

Hiei could say that of all his friends he would be willing trust the Mazoku with Kagome. For, of all of them, Yusuke alone had defended and protected each of them in turn; even himself when he'd needed someone the most. That told Hiei the most about his character and had been the act that won him the loyalty and trust of the apparition.

"Hiei?" When his eyes snapped to hers she smiled. "Food is on. Will you eat with me?" Hiei could not help the tiny smile that broke through his usual flat expression as he nodded and moved to sit beside her at the table. His stomach growled as he looked over the meal she had prepared. Anticipation filled him: he had never tasted her cooking, aside from the stews she made at her camp, before. Unless one was to count the sandwich she'd given him in her room that night, which he did not.

Everyone waited while Kagome sat herself and picked up Hiei's rice bowl and filled it. She blushed when his hand brushed hers as he took it from her with a murmured "arigato" The word was uncommon to him and felt strange on his lips and yet it earned him a tender smile, and that was something Hiei would do anything for.

"You've out done yourself this evening Yukina dear." Kurama said sitting down and inhaling in appreciation.

"Kagome-sama made it." Yukina said with a smile.

"Really? Then I am inclined to savor every morsel most ardently."

Kagome rolled her eyes at the flowery praise as she reached for Kurama's bowl and filled it for him as a proper hostess setting it before him before filling Yukina's bowl before her own. After everyone had their rice she smiled and waved towards the food. "Please help your selves," she said before picking up her chopsticks and saying "Itadakimasu!" before she plucked a piece of oden from the hot pot and popped it in to her mouth. Everyone seemed to be watching her as she ate with a bright smile.

Hiei reached out next, selecting a piece and putting it carefully between his lips. The flavor was delicious as it burst on his tongue and filled his mouth. When he reached for more Kurama and Yukina tried some and soon everyone was cheerfully eating their first Kagome home cooked meal.

After a while Kagome rose to fetch some sake and tea along with some sweets she'd baked from the kitchen. Gathering everything onto a tray she carried it carefully back to the dining room. Upon seeing her carrying such a tray Yukina jumped up to help and the two of them soon had everything set on the table and the remains of the meal cleared away. Each sitting beside one of the males Yukina and Kagome did their best to pour sake for them.

When Hiei took the sake from her and filled his small dish with a little and pressed it to her lips, Kagome was surprised at the gesture. But, though she had never had a drop before, she took the offered taste and let the flavor coat her tongue before she swallowed. The sake was sweet to the taste but the small touch of Hiei's saliva left on the rim was sweeter to her and it rounded out the sake nicely. She blinked and licked her lips. Her eyes went wide and her lips formed a small 'o', she had tasted that cinnamon and sweet warm spices taste before. It had been on her lips when she'd woken from her dream in the Makai with Hiei. She lightly touched her lips with her fingertips as her face flamed. (Hiei had- He must have- it wasn't a-)

oOo

Kagome chose that time to get up and start on the dishes while everyone enjoyed their dessert. Kurama had offered to help but she had declined. She needed a chance to process what she had just realized. The kitchen was larger than she was used to and quiet since she could not hear any conversation just down the hall slightly where the dining room was. Kagome decided that she would finish quickly and go back as she felt suddenly all alone- too alone with her thoughts of a kiss that had made her toes curl- that was not a dream.

Filling the sink with hot water and soap she began to wash the dishes. Someone standing behind her made her jump, dropping the plate in her hands with a loud crash. She did not get a chance to speak or to scream before the stranger's lips had closed over hers and the strange male was kissing her.

In the dining room Hiei had noticed Kagome get up and leave the room and was about to go look for her when the crash of a dish hitting the floor moved both himself and Kurama in to action. Hiei flashed into the kitchen and stopped short at the sight of Kagome held tightly in a strange male's arms as he kissed her. It was clear that she did not want such contact as she was struggling to push the male away, but strangely she had not called up her power. Before Hiei could move the kitsune avatar pulled the male from her and tossed him back.

"What in the seven hells were you thinking? You can't just go around kissing any female you happen upon, in the living world kit," Kurama said angrily as the male picked his self up and brushed off his clothes.

"I can kiss my chosen female anytime I choose to. I laid claim on her first, Kurama" he replied with a careless toss of his waist length auburn hair. As he turned to face Kagome she noticed the kotodama beads around his neck.

"Oswari,"

She said and was pleased to see the beads drag him to the floor. She crouched beside him as she cast a pleading look at her Hiyoukai and Kurama who looked ready to kill the brash male claiming her as his onna.

"Your chosen female? You sound just like Kouga; I'm disappointed Shippo. That wasn't a very Kitsune like kiss. I could still think clearly through it. Surely that wasn't the best a fire Kitsune is capable of? "

Shippo looked up in to her cobalt eyes and blushed lightly, "I was working up to it," he said trying to sound confident. "Now I know exactly how Inuyasha felt every time you sat him. I don't envy him for the pain. Ow," he said lightly as the spell released him.

Shippo sat up and crossed his legs leaning back on his arms. "You haven't changed a bit have you? You look exactly as I remember you except..." he stood up and walked around her then he patted her head, "You shrank," he finished finally. Kagome's eyes flashed angrily and Shippo backed away. "I mean you look beautiful as ever, though Kikyo was taller."At the stricken look on her face Shippo kicked himself mentally scrambling for something to say that would fix it. "Inuyasha was an idiot. I can't believe he chose her over you," Shippo froze as his words slipped out.

Yukina didn't understand the meaning of what the Kitsune said but the pain that paled Kagome's beautiful face and filled her cobalt eyes with tears said enough to her.

Kurama shared a glance with Hiei as an understanding passed between them then, grabbing the young Kitsune by the collar, he dragged him out the kitchen door and towards the dojo. He had a Kitsune to beat thoroughly. Shippo didn't fight him as he was hauled outside.

oOo

Hiei in the meantime was trying to comfort his beloved Kagome as she broke into pieces in his arms. At first she knelt and began collecting the pieces of the broken plate and then it was as though her strength just gave out. Hiei caught her before she landed in the glass but not in time to keep her from getting cut. Yukina offered to clean up as Hiei carried Kagome back to the living room and sat her on a cushion.

Kagome's eyes were vacant as he cleaned her cuts and bandaged them. Finally one tear slid from her eyes then another and another but Kagome didn't move. Hiei wrapped his arms around her as he listened to the beating the Kitsune was getting from Kurama. It should have been him defending her honor but Kagome needed him where he was and he was fine with that.

After a short time the sounds of the fighting stopped and Hiei could hear the soft apology from the Kitsune to Kurama and the question if he could see her voiced. Unceremoniously Hiei injected his voice into the mind of the Kitsune. ^Come in and see what you have caused. I can't get her to even respond. If you have caused permanent damage your life is forfeit Kitsune, regardless of your history with her. ^

Shippo walked slowly into the room. He had never meant to hurt Kagome. He didn't even really know why he'd kissed her. It was just seeing her standing there brought feelings to life he'd never felt before. More than any other onna he'd had, he wanted Kagome. But it was not just a passing fancy like it had been before; no, this time it was deeper, more permanent. He knew Kagome and had loved her even before his maturation. Secretly he'd been searching for her but had been losing hope that he would ever find her.

Shifting into the form she would remember he launched himself towards her with a cry of "Kagome!" As he'd expected her arms opened for him; even as her eyes remained pained they were no longer vacant. He wrapped his little arms around her neck and nuzzled her. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" he said in the little voice she remembered.

Kagome responded by wrapping her arms around his small furry body. "I forgive you," she whispered as she cried crushing him to her ample chest.

Hiei, though annoyed, was relieved. He had worried for her when she would not respond. She had felt nearly as lifeless as the moment he'd realized she was dead in that memory he would never forget. Fear had filled his heart that for a moment, fear that he was going to lose her again. Hiei allowed the Kitsune appearing kit to hold Kagome a moment longer before he gave him a glare which clearly told the Kitsune to get out. Shippo, though, was safely in his Kagome's arms and he was going to stay there. "Kagome, he's glaring at me," young Shippo's voice said as he waited for Kagome to defend him as she had from Inuyasha.

Kagome however snorted. "The king of thieves is afraid of my protector? Really Shippo, act your age."

Shippo smirked as he shifted back to his adult form. "Very well," he said and placed an emerald ring on her finger. "I announce my intentions. I wish to court you and take you as my mate," he said softly. Kagome winced as Shippo spoke, knowing that the youkai custom demanded she accept. Hiei knew it too.

Her voice was very soft as she spoke the words required. "I accept your token of intent." Kagome bit her lip as Shippo leaned forward to kiss her to seal the intent but she raised her hand placing it on his lips. "I can't do that," she said softly her voice a mere whisper. She loved Shippo but she was not in love with him. He did not set her very soul ablaze like Hiei did.

Shippo's eyes searched hers and he smiled warmly. "I'm sorry. I didn't think. Don't worry, I won't kiss you till you are ready then," he said just as cheerfully. Reaching for her hand he placed a soft kiss on her knuckles "We will resume this in the morning," he stated and then he left.

oOo

Hiei was infuriated, no, not at Kagome, but at his foolishness, his hesitation. He had forgotten that traditional custom required her to accept any who wished to court her. It was part of the courtship its self to determine the strongest male. Each male had to prove that he was the best choice for her. Fortunately Kagome only had to accept the intent, not the other gifts to prove the Kitsune's worth. Now though, he had competition for a courting he wasn't even in the running for. Kagome wasn't ready for all this and he wasn't entirely certain with his lack of skill he could best a Kitsune in wooing an onna. Hiei closed his eyes and breathed a sigh of relief that Kurama hadn't voiced his intentions as well to Kagome. He was positive that he would never win against two kitsune who would have no problem sharing their prize. He needed to think before he jumped in without thinking.

oOo

The smells of wonderful food cooking drifting through the shrine grounds and he took an appreciative whiff before he steeled himself for whatever was happening inside those walls. Following her laughter and the sounds of friends greeting each other quickly helped him find her and he ran swiftly to her location. Her cobalt eyes sparkled as she smiled just for him. "Welcome back Yusuke." She greeted warmly. While she was distracted Shippo struck.

Tipping her head back he kissed her slowly and properly in the kitsune fashion that had the other males looking away out of jealousy.

"Sit! I said I would accept your intent I did not tell you that you could kiss me as you please," Kagome said, frowning at the red haired Kitsune that looked and acted too like a dangerous mix of Kouga and Miroku for comfort.

Shippo pulled her against his chest and slyly grinned. "If you will let me kiss you in the morning and at night I'll let you play with my ears and tail," he offered, letting the auburn colored ears on the top of his head show and twitch a little. Despite her best effort Kagome's fingers twitched towards the furry appendages and Shippo knew he'd won just a little bit of her good favor. Kurama, not wishing to be outdone, gathered his youki and changed into his true form.

Hiei cursed softly as the look on Kagome's face changed. Kagome paled as her cobalt eyes zeroed in on the amber eyes looking at her. "How dare you! How dare you use him against me to win my favor! Shippo, I thought you had more kindness in you than this. Did you tell him exactly what he looked like so that the two of you could trick me? Is this your revenge on me for living with Hiei?" Kagome looked up at the amber eyes so like and not like his angrily.

"Well, you can stop the act Yoko. Inuyasha is dead! I watched him die myself and when the meido zangetsuha closed there was nothing but silence. I screamed and screamed until my voice was gone but he was never coming back. His beloved Tetsuaigua and the kotodama beads were all I had left of him. And he had made me promise to return the Tetsuaigua to Sesshomaru and to give you his beads. He left me nothing!"

Shippo moved to touch her and she whirled on him her fists clenched at her side. "I wandered alone for three weeks broken and empty inside, and where were you? Miroku and Sango had gone to her village, leaving me alone with him but they had no idea what was happening. You promised you were going to be close by so where were you when he left me?" Her head hung as she cried though the words continued to pour out of her.

Hiei watched in horror, knowing the memories had gone deeper but hadn't pried. The memory he'd tried to dull a little at a time, had to be cutting so deeply, that he hoped she would survive the assault though there was little hope it would be unscathed. Damn Kage to hell! Oh yes he knew the one responsible. It must have been the only memory he could find and so he sharpened it to a razor fine edge and used it to try and break her spirit. Kage was gone and Kagome had died so the memory should have been harmless. What the hell had Kage done to her?!

"Where were you when I begged the dormant sacred jewel to kill me? Or when I provoked the Saimyosho Naraku left behind and laid in the forest while their toxin burned me alive but was purified before it could take my life? Where were you then?"

Shippo's teal eyes widened as she spoke. "Kagome, I..." She ran from the kitchen, unable to face either of the foxes or Hiei. Tears blinded her as she ran unable and unwilling to look back. The rocks cut into her bare feet but she hardly felt it through the engulfing anger and pain.

oOo

Hiei stood where he was, unable to move in shock. Shippo sank to his knees and Kurama looked for the entire world like he'd been slapped in the face and punched in the gut. Remnants of her sorrow and despair still filled the room and left all of them shaking in its depth and magnitude. He could never recall any female every reacting in such a manner towards him in his humanoid form. He looked at Shippo for an answer.

Shippo's voice was small and broken as he explained quietly that Yoko looked like Inuyasha. "He had silver hair and golden eyes and ears like ours that is why she gave in to my offer so quickly. I knew she loved furry ears. But seeing you must have been a shock for her."

He sighed. "I should explain some things. Inuyasha went to hell to follow his first love and Kagome's incarnation. When Kikyo was revived by the evil Urasue, the witch stole Kikyo's reincarnated soul, Kagome's soul, to reanimate the fake body she'd crafted from the bones and the soil of Kikyo's grave. Kikyo attacked Inuyasha and was going to kill him when Kagome somehow called her soul back but Kikyo ran away keeping a portion of Kagome's soul." Shippo lowered his ears as he continued to speak. "Kagome suffered worse than any of us could have thought possible. She went through our whole journey without a part of her soul and only she and Inuyasha knew besides Kikyo. They didn't know I saw everything and understood it."

Shippo sighed again. "Kagome loved Inuyasha and frequently put her life on the line to save Kikyo, even though Kikyo wanted her dead. I saw Kagome cry every time he looked through her. Even the one time he kissed her, he whispered Kikyo's name after. But even then Kagome never stopped hoping one day he would see her."

Shippo growled bitterly. "He never did. He chose a corpse over Kagome. The bastard never knew how lucky he could have been. I never thought Kagome would ever try to commit suicide, and by Saimyosho poisoning I can't believe that she would go that far."

Shippo punched his fist in to his other hand. "Damn it Kurama, why didn't you tell me that you were silver? She never had to know. Or at least you and I could have prepared her for it. Now she thinks it's a cruel trick and I don't think she plans to return."

Yusuke, who had been listening at the kitchen doorway, spared a glance of disgust at Shippo before running after the emotionally broken girl. She needed a friend and by damn that's what he was going to be. She didn't need males fighting over her or playing games to get her heart, she needed a shoulder to cry on.

Yusuke however was unsurprised when Hiei was running beside him. They both froze as the strong smell of her blood hit them and they noticed her bloody foot prints on the ground. Following her footprints away from the shrine and in to the forest surrounding it Yusuke and Hiei sped up in searching for her, both of them knew the forest was ancient and evil, youkai didn't fear it but a Miko should. "This is Kage's doing," Hiei said quietly to Yusuke as they ran.

Yusuke looked alarmed. "What is?"

Hiei glared ahead. "This is how he breaks his victims even after they are free. He finds a memory, any memory that is slightly painful will do, and then he hones the memory into a razor fine edge like a mental knife. There is a trigger word or scene or person and that memory cuts into the soul. Deeper and deeper until the soul shatters or the mind does. Most will commit suicide to escape the pain."

"Shit! We have to find her." Yusuke cursed as they pushed themselves to move faster.

oOo

Kagome's anger quickly burned out, leaving her feeling empty, hollow and broken. Truthfully she knew she should go back and apologize for losing her temper. Regardless of what she had said Kagome knew Shippo had not been capable of such a cruel trick, knowing how Inuyasha had hurt her. Her eyes burned as fresh tears stung them.

She couldn't face them, any of them, now. How could she after revealing such a horrible thing to them? How had Hiei taken the words she had said about her attempted suicides? He hadn't come after her, so did that mean he had changed his mind about her now that he knew her darkness? No, she wouldn't, couldn't go back now. It was best if she disappeared from all of their lives.

The dark forest surrounding her reminded her of the feudal era and the days she had traveled through such woods with Inuyasha. She welcomed its familiarity as she wandered deeper and deeper in to its depths. She shivered in the cool dampness. "A hot bath sounds really nice right now" she muttered to herself as the smell of sulfur reached her nose. Finding a steaming spring Kagome undressed and slid into the comfort of the hot water opening her memories of happier days. The sting of her cuts and scrapes was washed away as she closed her eyes and gave in to the waiting darkness of exhaustion. She never even noticed when she slipped beneath the surface...

oOo

Hiei was in a panicked state the longer they were unable to find her. Kagome's footprints had stopped a mile back as the forest floor became covered in leaves and moss. To add to his worry there was no trace of her energy at all. Hiei had already removed the ward on the Jagan and was frantically searching for some flicker of anything through the bond they shared.

Yusuke was no better as he reached out with his reiki and youki to locate some trace of her. He had found nothing and was beginning to fear the worst. Walking over to his friend he placed his hand on Hiei's shoulder. "Hiei, man, you should prepare yourself, cause as much as I hate myself for saying this I think she might be..." He couldn't bring himself to speak the last word. It was so final and wrong.

Hiei blinked his brow furrowing. Kagome couldn't die, she was an immortal, but she could disappear. She could leave and hide her energy and they would never find her.

Hiei bowed his head under the reality that was beginning to crush him just as the dragon on his arm pulsed frantically. His head snapped up, "She lives detective," he said gruffly and he followed silently allowing the dragon to guide them.

Kagome's clothes lay in a pile by the spring discarded haphazardly but she was nowhere in sight. The dragon continued to pull Hiei towards the spring. He clenched his fists. Hiei could not swim and hated the weakness it gave him, but he was unwilling to let anything keep him from Kagome. Stripping himself of his cloak and his boots he moved to jump in and then hesitated. Yusuke, seeing the apparition pause stripped off his shirt and dove into the deep spring before the other could protest...

Though the mineral water stung Yusuke's eyes he searched frantically for Kagome under the water. His lungs began to burn and just as he was turning to head back to the surface he spotted her tangled in some odd reeds. Grabbing a breath on the surface Yusuke dived deeper and tore her from the water plants. Her body was limp as he dragged her back to the surface and pulled her to the edge where Hiei took her from the water and wrapped her in his cloak before laying her on the mossy ground. He shook her lightly. "Kagome wake up!"

Her lips were a purplish shade that looked lifeless. Her skin was red from the heat of the spring but cooling quickly to the touch. Hiei watched her closely. There was no breath from her still chest and Hiei's heart sank. Immortal just meant she couldn't die, not that she couldn't fall in to an endless sleep.

Bursting through the foliage at a dead run both Kitsune stopped short at the sight of Kagome lying lifelessly on the ground. It seemed that neither Yusuke nor Hiei knew what to do, or if they did they were frozen with panic and sorrow; Kurama on the other hand pushed Hiei out of the way as his CPR training kicked in. Hiei watched in frustration and fragile hope as Kurama checked her pulse and then gently compressed her chest while he breathed air in to her lungs. "Come on Kagome! Breathe! You've got to breathe! Hiei, talk to her! Bring her back! Shippo you too," he ordered calmly.

Shippo's eyes filled with tears. "Kagome, don't leave me before I can apologize. I didn't know. I didn't know any of it. I searched for you. I searched for centuries. I thought you were happy somewhere. How could I have known? I'm sorry! I'll do anything Kagome, just come back!"

Hiei looked like his world was fracturing as he fell to his knees beside her. "Baka onna, come back to me Kagome. I won't live without you. I won't let you leave me!" Hiei said, his tone belying his despair. The others were trying to spare her life. Hiei was trying to spare her mind.

Press press press breath. Press press...gurgle. Coughing up water Kagome gasped as she came to. Weakly she turned to her side as she choked up more of the water in her lungs. Yusuke kept a hand on her back to support her as he wiped away his sudden tears of relief with the other, he had been so afraid they'd been too late. Hiei hadn't moved from where he watched her. Seeing her alive filled him with happiness but also anger born of worry.

Kurama sighed as he drew a breath. It seemed that it had been a good thing that he had talked Yoko into following after them. He met Shippo's eyes and nodded. It would be unwise to try and speak to her now, both of them knew that. Kagome needed time to recover and she would eventually come to them. They could wait. Silently they slipped away.

Strangely Kagome could not recall how she got to where she was. Why did Hiei look so upset and why was Yusuke dripping wet and shirtless? Had something happened to her? Her throat was raw and her chest ached as she drew a shaky breath. Shivering heavily she moved closer to Hiei's warmth. Realizing that though she was breathing she was far from safe yet, Hiei jumped in to action. He could fall apart later, away from prying eyes

"We need her warm and dry before she goes into shock. Detective, run to the temple and get those fools out of there. I know they both want to speak to her but I refuse to allow it. I will care for Kagome, now go," he said gruffly, sounding like the youkai Yusuke knew. He gave the apparition a cocky grin as he flung his wet shirt over his shoulder and stuffed his hand in his pocket, "Detective, tell Kurama thanks," Hiei added quietly. Yusuke nodded then he turned and was gone.

oOo

Hiei waited only until he had gone out of eye sight to gather Kagome up and into his arms then he was running for his house in the forest as fast as his legs could move. Kagome was shivering worse and her breathing was much too quick for his liking. Once inside the quiet structure Hiei carried her to the bedroom and removed the wet cloak from her. Taking a blanket, he began to dry her quickly using his youki and the cloth. Quicker than normal Kagome was completely dry, dressed in some borrowed clothes and wrapped in another blanket in Hiei's arms. She had not spoken as he'd, dried and redressed her. Still she had yet to say anything. But her teeth had stopped chattering and she was breathing normally.

Idle chatter was not Hiei's usual way but the silence was growing heavy and more pronounced the longer he waited for her to speak. He needed to hear her voice. He needed to know that his Kagome was still there with him and that she had not buried herself within her mind again. "Onna, what were you thinking going in to that forest alone?" he questioned harsher than he intended and he winced as his words cut through the silence like the crack of a whip. He was no good at words. He took a deep breath to try again. Yelling at her would only serve to push her further away.

"Kagome, I had no idea anything like that had happened. Why did you not tell me before?" he asked again, forcing his words to be gentle. Kagome closed her eyes looking away from him. It hurt to see her hide her eyes from him.

Her voice was rough and barely audible. "I couldn't," she said, pulling away from the comfort of his arms.

Hiei let her shift but would not let her go. "You need someone Kagome. I am here. I will never leave your side for long. I will always be close by. Even if you are here and I am in the Makai I am only a thought away," he said, tapping her forehead gently.

Kagome shuddered as tears she'd been holding back wracked her body with sobs so deep that Hiei feared she might shake apart. He did not try to quiet her but he did whisper soothing words of reassurance to her as she wept. These were healing tears and the Kamis knew she needed them. In one fell swoop she had lost everything dear to her and now she was going to lose again. Why had Inuyasha been so cruel? Surely it would not hurt to keep the Tetsuaigua for herself? However he knew she never would as she had made a promise.

oOo

When Kagome woke up she was not certain where she had fallen asleep stumbling a little, Kagome climbed out of the bed and looked around. The room she was in was moderately sized and neat. Dark colors featuring black and red mostly comprised the decor. The bed, nightstands, and dresser were all made of a warm oak colored wood that was neither too light nor too dark, and all were engraved with a dragon. Hiei's house she remembered. This was the house they were living in together, she blushed, and (it's not like that! Wouldn't Miroku be proud?)

It was easy to picture Hiei being in the room, though he wasn't; Yusuke, on the other hand, was. He was sitting in a chair by the window. Obviously he had been reading in the late afternoon light but was now watching her.

Kagome opened her mouth to ask but Yusuke answered her question before she could. "Hiei isn't in the Ningenkai right now, so I am here at your beck and call. Sure am glad to see you breathing and all," he said with a cocky grin. "If you are hungry Hiei keeps his place pretty well stocked and though I am not a wonderful chef like you, I make a mean sandwich." He held up his hand and breathed on his finger tips before rubbing them on his shirt. She wanted to launch out of the bed and hug him but she remembered his goodbye. He didn't feel that way for her and honestly it was a little bit of a relief to have a friend.

Kagome chuckled halfheartedly at his cheerfulness and asked in her roughened voice, "Tea?"

Yusuke shook his head in the negative. "Nope. I'm serving you today so you rest, I'll manage." Hiei had told him not to leave her alone so Yusuke scooped her up and whisked her down the stairs to the kitchen despite her protests. Kagome was very light in his arms and Yusuke instantly wished he had never picked her up. How he was ever going to forget the feeling of her small body cradled in his arms now? He had no idea. Grinning to cover his mistake he set her gently in one of the chairs in the living room as he went in to the open kitchen and began to throw a meal together for her.

After a few minutes he walked over and handed her a plate. On it was an entire large hero roll piled high with deli meats and cheeses along with fresh vegetables. Yusuke had his own monster sandwich and was happily digging in. Kagome eyed the sandwich dubiously. How was she supposed to get her mouth around that to take a bite? Did he really expect her to eat all of it? Kagome nibbled at the edge of the massive sandwich and Yusuke laughed. "Kagome, just eat it. I'm not going to care if you make a mess and Hiei will just be happy that you ate. You're acting as prim and proper as Kurama. Did you want a knife and fork too?" he taunted knowing how angry she probably still was.

He was not disappointed. Kagome glared at him and took a very unladylike bite of the sandwich. Still glaring she chewed swallowed and took another. By the time her anger abated the sandwich was gone. "So where did Hiei go?" she asked as she leaned back in the comfortable chair and sipped the tea Yusuke had made for her.

"He said that he had to do a couple of errands in the Makai. He didn't tell me specifics, he usually goes there to work out his anger and frustration" he replied.

"Oh, um- it's nice to have you back." Kagome said awkwardly.

Yusuke laughed. "I'm fine now Ka go me. Don't worry about it, besides I think you could use a best guy friend. You know someone to talk to when things are tough. I may not look it, but I make a descent listener."

Kagome smiled and sighed. "Thanks Yu-kun." He wrinkled his nose.

"Anytime Kaggie –chan." They looked at each other for a moment and then they burst into laughter. Being just her friend wasn't as hard as he thought.

oOo

Hiei cleaned his sword and sheathed it .Despite saying that he would wait for her he knew that time was not on his side any more with a kitsune in the mix, he have to step up and move quicker than he'd intended. He would have to declare his intentions soon.

Hurrying home Hiei slipped through the sudo-space swiftly and reappeared near Genkai's land. It was late evening and he sensed Kagome at their home with Yusuke. He flared his energy and was pleased when Yusuke headed to the temple. He was in too much of a hurry to bother with greetings. Seeing her sitting at the table waiting with the dinner she had made, he moved purposefully.

Pulling her into his arms he whispered "I too announce my intent to court you Kagome. I wanted to wait but-,"

"I accept your intent to courtship Hiei. May I consider the gift you gave me as my courting gift?" Kagome asked anticipating his kiss more than anything else.

"For now," Hiei said softly. Pushing her away from his chest Hiei tilted his head and captured her lips. Sweet mother of all- the dream kiss was nothing compared to the reality and as he hadn't given her the chance to respond he was unprepared for her reaction. Her arms twined his neck and her hands buried themselves into his hair. Her taste flooded his senses and made everything fade away. The little moans she made were going to drive him to the brink of madness if she didn't stop-for there was no way he would ever find the resolve to end this kiss. Her teeth nipped at his bottom lip and he was lost.

Kagome felt the delightful pressure of his lips on hers and sighed as warm tingles rushed all over her skin. This kiss was a thousand- no a million times better than the dream –not a dream- kiss. His taste exploded on her tongue as he delved his tongue in to twine with hers. This kiss was quickly becoming more than her fantasies had ever known how to imagine. As a last ditch effort to pull back she nipped lightly at his bottom lip and he suddenly pinned her to the floor his full weight atop of her trapping her in place and forcing her softness to yield to his firm solid presence. She could feel every place that their bodies connected as he laid on her his lips blazing a path down her neck... This was their first kiss and it was quickly escalating to an intimacy that should not be in a relationship so new. "Hiei."

He froze as though he had become the ice that made up half of his genetics. He had kissed Kagome as the tradition dictated he should but then he had lost himself in the moment. His mind spinning out fantasies in his overheated mind that were delightfully more than the situation called for. He realized that his perception of the room was off as though he was lying- His eyes widened and he scrambled off of her like he had been burned. He was almost six hundred and fifty and he was acting like a horny human teen with his first female. The thought made him sick. He was so out of control right now that he had to look her over to be sure he hadn't forced himself on her. Shame burned in his cheeks as he looked away. "I lost control…I never meant to…forgive me," he said quietly and then unable to face her he left.

oOo

Slowly Kagome lowered her hand from where she had reached out to stop him from leaving the words dying on her lips and he was just simply gone. She felt torn, on one hand she cared for Hiei with a passion she had never felt before, but on the other hand everything was happening far too quickly. They might have known her for six months but she had only known them for a few days. Extending her energy she went to find the one soul here who knew her better than anyone else, who had seen her grow into the woman she was now.

Shippo lay on the futon staring up at the ceiling in one of the spare bedrooms. In his mind he was going over and over the reunion with Kagome and wincing anew as he unintentionally hurt her. "Ah, Miroku, I am an idiot." He fingered the rosary of beads at his throat and sighed. If he could do it over he would still have kissed her and he would still have voiced his intentions, but he wouldn't have hurt her and he would have taken her breath away. He shivered feeling her pure power wash over him and smiled sadly. He had missed the feeling of that aura. Climbing to his feet and not bothering to put on his shirt he walked to the door. Opening it he smiled. "Welcome, my dearest, I knew that I wouldn't have to wait long- I" he looked closer at her face. "Come here." He said all joking and teasing aside he pulled her into his arms and led her into the room closing the door behind them.

"What happened?" his teal eyes lost the sparkle of mirth and became serious. She had seen small bits of the male he would one day be when he fought to protect her in the past. But the way he was now was so different so male that it took her a moment to tear her gaze from his.

"I-I am not sure. Hiei proclaimed his intentions and then he kissed me and it was getting out of control and I got scared and then he left." Kagome suddenly wasn't sure she should talk to Shippo about this from the hurt that flashed in his eyes. She had kissed Hiei and declined his kiss. But Hiei had been watching!

"He kissed you against your will?" he asked darkly.

"Well no, but it was our first kiss and it was like he lost control," She blushed and looked down at her hands. "Shippo, what is desire?"

He raised an eye brow. "Don't you know Kagome?" he inhaled and smirked looking more kitsune than Kagome had ever seen him. "Oh, that's right you are a virgin aren't you?" he purred the word and she shivered. "Desire is fire and passion. It is intense and all consuming. Like fire and powder as quoted by some poet I don't recall their name, its explosive."

Kagome looked pale and her shoulders sagged. "What is it Kagome?" he took her hands gently.

"Don't tease me Shippo. I think that I –that what I feel for Hiei is just desire then. If it's explosive and intense like you say how can it possibly last forever? Shippo, what do I do?"

"Do you-do you love Hiei?" he asked slowly. Shippo was the current king of thieves known for both his prowess in battle and with the ladies but behind it all he was still that kit Kagome rescued in more ways than one.

She shook her head. "I don't know, I've only known him a short while. I like him but when I look at him, he makes my insides melt and I feel nervous around him. It's nothing like how I felt with-In-him. I don't know; it's like what you said. Shippo, if I only desire Hiei and he loves me what do I do?!"

"Sleep with him." The words slipped out and he cringed.

"W-what?!" Kagome exclaimed as her face heated, "How is that supposed to help Shippo?" She demanded.

"If its lust, sleeping with him will get the desire out of your system, you are nineteen Kagome; nobody expects that a healthy girl hasn't been touched now days. This is your time, Kagome it won't cause a scandal here. Hell I'd be happy to assist you if you don't want your first time with Hiei."

"I'm not sleeping with you Shippo! I don't want to be rid of my virginity, just because I'm confused about how I felt after Hiei pinned me to the floor and kissed the hell out of me"…!

Shippo had her in his arms and rolled her beneath him even as his mouth moved sensually over hers. Fire kitsune were different than other kitsune, they didn't have a pheromone that charmed for it was in their saliva. The moment his tongue touched hers this time, she was under his control; she would feel what he wanted her to and she would burn solely for him. She melted into his arms and he nipped at her lips playfully. Her blue eyes were glazed and her pupils were dilated as she panted beneath him. Her eyes fluttered closed as she threw her head back to give him access to her throat. Unseen his eyes became icy and malicious as he bent his head and drove her to ecstasy.

oOo

Kagome felt sick as she opened her eyes and felt the world spin. She felt almost like she had when Menomaru had taken over her body and used her to try and kill Inuyasha. Actually she felt exactly like that! Her mouth tasted strange and her body ached. She felt empty and exposed, sitting up she realized that she was naked, but she was mercifully alone. Tears stung her eyes. She felt the burn of betrayal as she lurched to her feet and staggered back losing her balance. The room spun and she wanted to vomit. She needed help but she wasn't sure she could face Hiei. "Kurama," she screamed as the room tilted suddenly. She was going to pass out again. She heard the door snap open and the sound of feet hurrying to her side and cool hands on her fevered forehead. Gently he pried open her eyes and she heard him say "Damn," Before the world went black.

Kurama was getting ready for work on the other side of the temple when he heard Kagome scream. His heart pounding in his ears he dropped everything to go to her. He frowned as he followed her scent to the guest wing and to a small unused room at the back. No one had been in this part of the temple since Genkai passed and as far as he knew the rooms should have been locked. His nose twitched and he threw open the door hard enough that the frame shattered. The sound drew Yusuke and he fell to his knees beside her.

Kagome laid on the floor limply her chest barely rising and falling with breath. The room reeked of sex and a scent that made his stomach lurch; blood, virgin blood. His eyes closed for a second in pain.

~Kit check her eyes, I have I good idea of what happened. ~ Youko said his voice cold and livid. He watched Kurama gently open her eyelid and the kitsune within him snarled. ~This is as good as rape kit. She was charmed by a fire kitsune. I'd say Shippo but this isn't like him. He had more honor than this. I smell a rat. ~

"Damn. Hiei picked a lousy time to leave her alone." Kurama tightened his fist and drew blood with his nails. "I'll kill him. And when I find that bastard who used Shippo's form I'll kill him too."

~I want blood too, Red but Kagome needs us more right now. She's going into shock. ~

"Shit!" the curse drew Yusuke's attention and he glanced at Kurama. Kurama didn't often curse but the situation seemed to warrant it. Kurama felt a flicker at the edges of his senses, "Oh, no Hiei!" this was going to get messy.

End chapter 12

A/N: Whoo this story is taking on a life of its own. I hope you are enjoying it. I appreciate the thanks for the chapters but I'd really like to know what you think and what your thoughts are as you read my work~~your impressions keep me inspired!