This chapter is going to jump around a lot, so I'll post where the events are taking place lol. Sorry for the late update, but I was on vacation with my family and the hubby refused to let me tinker with my stories while we were in Virginia. That meanie :( lol. Anyway, hopefully I'll be able to add another chapter here soon too. To make up for the long wait :) So, hope you enjoy Ch. 20 :3
~I Won't Mind~
*Past*
Golden eyes scanned the area as he made sure no persons made a mad break for the strange well. Or rather person to be specific. After Inuyasha had lured the fight towards the well, he jumped down it. Youko was none too pleased when the vile half-breed disappeared in a burst of blue magic. Youko attempted to go after him, but he couldn't. Sesshomaru, on the other hand, jumped inside the well and disappeared as well, leaving Youko to wonder why he could not follow after them. What seemed like an eternity later Inuyasha was sent flying like a rag-doll outside of the well, with Sesshomaru jumping after him.
"We will the old miko of this village to bind him down. He is not to leave your sight until this one returns. Is this understood." Sesshomaru said silently, with a deadly bite.
"Yes." Youko said simply as he watched Sesshomaru drag Inuyasha towards the village by his hair. The arrived at the hut of Kaede.
"Miko, you are to use whatever means necessary to bind this despicable half-breed. He is not to be released until this one's return." Sesshomaru demanded as he tossed a still unconscious Inuyasha towards the stunned humans.
"What did he do Sesshomaru-sama?" Miroku asked with a quirked brow.
"He escaped and nearly succeed in finishing Kagome off. If it had not had been for an avatar and another male Kagome would be dead." Sesshomaru said through narrowed eyes. "Speaking of which, fox, this one needs to have a word with you and your partner."
Youko and Kuronue put their internal plots of disembowelment to the side and followed after to stoic Lord who they've come to realize holds Kagome on an even higher platform than he probably even realizes.
"This one has stumble upon some rather unfortunate news whilst in Kagome's era. While this one can not divulge in the information due to the astronomical repercussions of said act, this one can advise you to take my following words to heart." Sesshomaru said, even with his diplomatic upbringing he was having a difficult time finding the way to phrase the...advice.
Youko and Kuronue nodded for the Lord to continue, curious as to what was so astronomically wrong about what he was going to say.
"For the sake of Kagome this one is willing to change the path fate has in store for her, but due to the sheer enormity of what this act will cause, it is difficult to find a correct path that suites her best." Sesshomaru explained. "This one wishes for you to give up your foolish pursuit of monetary wealth. In the long run it will hurt Kagome, more than either of you two could possibly manage to comprehend. Due to Kagome's obvious affection towards you both, this one will not allow you to go without a place to live. This one will allow you a residence withing this one's own household and whatever necessities you may need."
Youko and Kuronue looked at each other. "What is it you are not telling us Sesshomaru?" Youko demanded as he tried to process the Lord's request. "What will happen to us if we continue to thieve?"
"This one has told you of the astronomical repercussions to the time flow." Sesshomaru said seriously. "It will not do well to change Kagome's own future."
"Maybe she was meant to change it, I mean why send someone to the past if they were not meant to change it, even if only a little bit?" Kuronue asked. "I mean, she's already unpinned that vile half-breed from the tree, to which he was suppose to stay. She's possibly saved many people's life who were destined to perish."
"This is going to be up to Kagome, if she realizes just who it is she is on a team with. If she figures out your fates and wishes to change them, then it is up to her to do so. It is her world that she will be changing, not our own." Sesshomaru said. "For now, this one is off to do a bit of...research on what is ailing the half-breed. Kagome's wish." He added as he saw the disbelieving look upon the duo's faces.
They watched Sesshomaru leave before returning back to the village. "What is it you think he knows?" Kuronue asked.
"Our thieving of course, what else would cause someone as pure as Kagome to be hurt? I honestly cannot see ourselves physically or emotionally hurting Kagome so that is ruled out as a possibility." Youko said.
"Youko, what if it's because she chooses one of us over the other?" Kuronue asked, nervous.
"Do you believe us to fight to the death over Kagome?" Youko asked aghast. "Do not fret dear friend, if it were you she chose over me then I would be happy for you, not attempt to take your life. You are as dear to me as if you were kin, no need to worry."
"The same goes for me Youko. So, is that what we are going to do, stop our thieving?" Kuronue asked with a sideways glance.
"It seems the only choice we have. Though I will admit that I don't really want to give it up." Youko said grumpily.
*Future*
Kagome looked onto the fight with a grimace, Kuwabara was being tossed about, he was clearly in pain. Kagome turned once she noticed Hiei's energy swirling around the tent and Ruka's tense expression. "You're planning to escape at the first sign of Kuwabara's defeat aren't you?" She asked with a sigh.
"If you have any noble plans to stop me I suggest you write your will. I'm not leaving without war." Hiei said as he watched the fight.
"Let's just see how this plays out." Kagome said as she watched Kuwabara get to his feet. She watched in dreaded silence as Raisho continued to dominate over Kuwabara, he had surrounded his body in hard rock and was flying straight for Kuwabara. She was about to give Hiei the go ahead to break through and unleash hell when something...something Kagome could only call absurd happened. He stood back up, grimacing as he did so.
"Kuwabara! You don't have to keep fighting! At the rate you're going you're going to get yourself killed!" Kagome shouted.
"He's...going to kill himself." Hiei said, surprised.
"What do you mean, kill himself!" Kagome shouted.
"Yusuke has done this once before. Kuwabara's spirit energy is drained. He's going to tap into his life force, in his hopes to kill them both." Hiei explained.
"That idiot!" Kagome said through blurred eyes.
"Buffoon." Hiei said after a short silence and Kagome looked towards him, but soon she heard Kuwabara's voice in her own mind.
"Hey Kagome, I'll be going soon, so you have to look after those guys for me. They find themselves in trouble quite a lot. It was great being able to see you again. Take care." He spoke.
"You idiot! You're not going to die!" Kagome choked out.
Kagome watched on in horror as Raisho once more took to the skies and launched himself at Kuwabara, who
began to rush towards the oncoming Raisho. Kuwabara grabbed a hold of Raisho as soon as he was close enough. His face set in determination when suddenly, out of no where, Kuwabara pushed Raisho back with the exclamation of "She's here!"
Kagome watched, surprised at Kuwabara's actions. With a sudden burst of strength he tossed Raisho to the side and rushed towards where the ferry girl and Keiko were. There was another girl with them as well. Mint green hair was tied back with a red ribbon in a low ponytail. Kuwabara seemed to be...was he flexing for the girl? Kagome was unable to turn here eyes away from the train wreck that was Kuwabara's flirting. Kagome noticed that the girls red eyes shone brilliantly once she realized he was okay. 'Wait...those eyes look familiar.' Kagome thought as she tried to place where she's seen that type of red.
"She's really here." Hiei said stunned.
"How do you know..."Kagome started but trailed off when she realized just why they eyes looked familiar. "Your eyes!" She said in a ah ha moment. "Hiei, is she related to you?" Kagome asked. A 'hn' was her only reply.
"Let's go, seems like Ruka's fainted." Hiei said as he and Kagome made their way to the ring.
"Good job Kuwabara!" Kagome said excitedly as she clapped him on the shoulder, only to have him fall to the ring.
"Kazuma!" She herd the girl exclaim as she rushed to his side.
"Why don't we leave them to themselves." Kurama said as he walked towards Hiei and Kagome.
"Kurama! How are your wounds? Let's get to the room so I can bandage you up." Kagome said as she gingerly grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the ring.
Kagome pushed open the door to the room and instructed Kurama to sit on the couch while she gathered the supplies. "Can you remove what's left of your shirt?" Kagome asked with a slight blush and Kurama set about removing it. Kagome quickly cleaned the wounds and placed bandages on them. "You worried me you know." Kagome said gently as she cleaned another wound. "I thought Baken was going to...kill you." She finished in a whisper as she placed a bandage on the now clean wound.
"There was no need to worry." Kurama said.
"Why would you keep your identity from me?" Kagome blurted out as she finished bandaging him up. Standing to her feet she went to the kitchen to clean her hands off, Kurama following after her, sighing to himself. Honestly, he knew this was coming.
"I couldn't tell you, I couldn't risk you asking questions about the past." Kurama said. "I know you Kagome, you would stop at nothing to get your questions answered."
"I still won't you know. Keeping yourself hidden...I can understand that, but you're not hidden, you're trapped. I can sense two energies within you. Your own and that of your host. What happened Kurama?" Kagome asked, her hands clutching at the sink.
Kurama walked up behind her and placed his hands over her own. "Kagome...I can't tell you that." He said as he placed his chin on her shoulder.
Kagome looked over at him. "I'll get it out of you one way or the other." Kagome promised as she give him a light kiss on his cheek. Kurama didn't get a chance to kiss her back before the door to the room opened and a group of people came barreling in.
Kagome came out of the kitchen and was about to greet them when something atop Yusuke's head made her stop and stare. "Uh...Yusuke?" Kagome asked and attempted not to laugh.
"It's my spirit beast okay!" Yusuke said, obviously annoyed because everyone had laughed the moment they had seen it. Who could blame them? On top of his head sat a blue...Kagome didn't really know what it was, but it had Yusuke's eyes and hair color. It was like a mini blue Yusuke.
"I never knew how adorable you were inside. You're as pure as a little girl!" Kuwabara joked after Yusuke explained just what Pu was.
Yusuke raised his fist and whacked Kuwabara upside the head. "How adorable was that!" Yusuke said with a huff.
"Oh Yukina, won't you heal Kuwabara's itty bitty boo boo?" He exclaimed as he rushed to the ice maiden's side.
The next moment Kuwabara was on the ground. "Won't you give it a rest lover boy?" Kuwabara's sister, Shiziru, said.
"As if he couldn't get more girly." Yusuke scoffed once Keiko grabbed him up and began to coddle Pu.
"So did you hear that we don't have to fight the semi-finals until the day after tomorrow?" Kagome asked as she walked up to the stubborn spirit detective.
"Yeah, I heard alright." Yusuke said. "The committee made us fight two rounds in a row because they wanted us wiped out. They're just like everyone else in charge."
Kagome was about to retort when Pu decided to rest upon Yusuke's head. "Aww, it looks like he's found a napping place." Kagome chuckled out. "You know...when you're next to each other like that...he really looks like you. He even has your hair." She laughed out.
"I'd say he has my hair, he has it right between his retarded claws." Yusuke said agitatedly, but made no move to remove Pu. "He better not leave me any spirit surprises." Yusuke mumbled.
"My my, look at the time." Botan said as she looked at her watch. "How did it get so late."
"Time flies when you're mocking Yusuke mercilessly." Shiziru said as she stood, the others following shortly after.
The group decided to get some sleep, hoping to be up in time to see who they would face next. Kagome walked into the bedroom and dug through her duffel bag. Pulling out another pair of sweats and a tank top she quickly stripped and dressed. Folding what remained of her outfit she placed the top gingerly in her bag.
"I doubt Youko would mind getting you another pair if you asked." Kurama said as he entered the room.
"I doubt he would either." Kagome said with a smile as she pulled the night stand that was separating the two twin beds away from the wall.
"What are you doing?" Kurama asked as he watched her move to the right side of her bed.
"Pushing the beds together." Kagome said as she gave a mighty push, the beds coming together. "If only Kuronue was here, he could have slept on the other side, like in the past. Or a few days ago for me." She said with a sheepish smile as she got into the bed. "How come you didn't ask him to be your fifth member?" Kagome asked.
"I...he's...busy." Kurama said lamely.
'Hey Red...you remember what Hiei said right?" Youko said, sounding almost hopeful.
'About what?' Kurama asked.
'Kagome. Maybe she ismeant to change the past.'
The words seemed to roll over in his mind as he finished getting dressed. "Actually Kagome, Kuronue...he died." Kurama said quietly. "A year before I had to flee the Makai."
Kagome looked over to him. "Why tell me this now." She asked, tears falling for her dear Kuronue.
"Maybe...you're meant to change more than the outcome of Naraku." Kurama said as he laid next to Kagome and pulled her closer to him. "Youko is rather relived to have you this close to him." Kurama said with a sigh.
"You don't have to tell me what happened just yet you know." Kagome said as she got comfortable against his chest. Soon after the two were fast asleep.
The next morning found the trio of Kagome, Kurama, and Hiei scoping out their competition for the next day.
"What an arrogant fool." Hiei remarked as the leader of Team Uraotogi called them out.
"Well well well, look who we have here." Kuwabara's voice rang out as the rest of the team plus Botan came to watch as well. "Guess you three got the same idea as us to scope out the competition."
"Had the same idea. The fight is over." Kurama said as he turned to face them.
"That's unbelievable." Kuwabara said. "I can't believe we missed the entire match all because it took a few extra minutes for me to brush my teeth."
"It was a pretty impressive fight." Kagome said as she slowly moved to stand next to Kurama.
Hiei noticed this movement and sent a glance to Kurama.
Kurama just nodded as he grabbed Kagome's hand and pulled her a little closer.
"Hello," Yusuke said as he noticed the light blush on Kagome's face. "don't you two look cozy."
"Shut it pervert." Kagome huffed.
"Though I'm sure your minty fresh breath was worth the delay." Hiei said and then noticed something odd upon Yusuke's head. "What is that ridiculous appendage growing out of your head all about?"
"It's a puberty thing okay!" Yusuke barked out. "So, Kurama, how's your wound treating you?"
"It'll be fine. I will be fighting again tomorrow." Kurama answered.
"Hn. Seems it's not as bad as you made us think." Hiei said with a smirk.
Kurama looked up towards the clouds. "Compared to your energy loss? I suppose it's not."
"Hey! I've got an idea you guys! Ask Yukina to use her healing powers on you!" Kuwabara exclaimed.
Kagome noticed Hiei stiffen and his eyes softened a little.
"You know, she's partially here to look for her long lost estranged brother." Kuwabara ranted on and Kagome noticed Hiei stiffen again.
'Is Yukina...Hiei's sister?' Kagome questioned herself, but soon found her answer.
"Yukina's brother? Sounds like a noble cause, we should assist her too Hiei." Kurama mocked.
"Yeah, you could even lend an eye!" Yusuke jabbed.
Kagome noticed Hiei's shoulders begin to shake and decided to intervene. "Hiei, lets go get something to snack on, I'm hungry!" Kagome exclaimed as she patted him on the shoulder and tried to lead him away from the group, but an massive amount of energy caught her attention and she was looking to the opposite side of the ring.
There stood Team Toguro, and Yusuke was not letting their leader out of his sights. Kagome noticed the way Yusuke shuddered once Toguro pointed at him and then to himself, but brushed it off quickly as he brought up his hand and dragged his thumb across his neck.
"At least your act is tough." Came a fragile voice Kagome recognized immediately as Genkai.
"Yeah yeah old hag, what are you here for?" Yusuke asked impatiently.
"Your final test. Follow me. It's not up for discussion." Genkai said.
"No, locker room. We're having a team discussion due to Kuwabara's current freak out." Yusuke said as he pointed to the quivering Kuwabara.
Once in the locker room Yusuke addressed Kuwabara. "It's not that big of a deal Kuwabara, and us bitching about it ain't going to help." He stated simply. "You probably feel their power now because you senses got better." He said with a sigh. "Come on, Toguro is the one who made us come to this stupid tournament, none of us thought it would be a joy ride but we can beat him okay?" Yusuke finished just as the team Hiei, Kurama and Kagome watched came in the door.
"Tsk tsk tsk," The man with light blue hair mocked. "don't you think you're forgetting about somebody?"
"No one of real importance." Kurama stated.
"Who's that?" Kuwabara asked.
"My guess would be the freak show rejects." Yusuke jabbed.
"I'm Kuro Momotaro." The second tallest with blonde hair said.
"Makintaro." Said the tallest and darkest of the team.
"Ura Urashima." Said the shortest, and possibly the youngest of the team. Kagome held back a laugh as she thought that he looked like a smaller, more deformed version of Yusuke with his hair.
"Shishiwakamaru." The second shortest and the one with light blue hair said simply.
"And you can just call me Onji." Said the last, and eldest member of the team.
"If you're here to ask us to go easy on you, you're wasting yours, and more importantly, our precious time." Yusuke said gruffly.
"Nah, see it's the exact opposite." Kuro Momotaro said. "We want a good fight."
"We will be famous," Shishiwakamaru said. "but we're going to need more than two minutes of exposure for us to get that way." He finished as they began to walk off.
Yusuke turned to Kagome. "Arrogant little prick, don't you think?"
"Seems that way." She replied.
"If you want to be famous, why don't you start a boy band." Yusuke said as Shishiwakamaru stopped. "You've got the look down."
Shishiwakamaru turned and faced Yusuke, what was once a calm face had changed. Horns now protruded from his head and his serene violet eyes turned small and onyx. "We'll turn ugly enough Urameshi, just you wait." He exclaimed as they left the group alone.
"Alright, now that that is over, slacker you're coming with me." Genkai said as she lead Yusuke out of the room, Kuwabara following shortly behind. Seconds later Botan came into the room.
"Hey guys..." Botan said as she entered the room. "Oh...Lady...Kagome." Botan said nervously as she made to leave the room, but Kagome stopped her.
"Why are you so nervous to be around me!" Kagome exclaimed agitatedly. "I haven't done anything to you!"
"I...uh well...I have to be going, Koenma needs me." She mumbled as she rushed out the door.
"Would you be so kind as to tell me what I've done to her?" Kagome said exasperatedly to Kurama.
"Er...I don't know." Kurama lied.
"Urgh. I'm going back to the room." Kagome huffed as she left Hiei and Kurama alone.
*Past*
Youko sat there in confusion, he had expected the half-breed to struggle...to put up any type of fight. Nothing. He just sat there, eyes downcast. Oh, he struggled when he first woke up, but he was demanding to know who Youko and Kuronue were, and where Kagome was. The group was unsure as to how to handle him that Sango and Miroku explained what had happened the past few months. That's when his eyes became downcast. He barely said a word after the explanation.
"I'm beginning to suspect that Naraku had a large roll to play in his sudden change of actions." Kuronue whispered to his leader.
"Yes, well, we will wait for Sesshomaru. He said he was going to do some research on the subject." Youko answered.
So the group waited and a little after sunset Sesshomaru had come back, Shippo riding atop Ah Un. "What has happened to the half-breed?" He asked as soon as he came within hearing distance.
"It seems...he has forgotten anything since after the fight with Naraku." Miroku said as Shippo came to sit between he and Sango.
"Then he had been drugged as Kagome suggested." Sesshomaru said as he pulled a scroll out of his top and handed it to the monk. "It is called Hate Potion. Absurd in it's own right. It brings out the targets worst habits. This being Inuyasha's violent tendencies and he reckless behavior, and apparently the way he treats Kagome is a habit."
"Then that explains why he doesn't remember anything now." Miroku said as he noticed that the target would forget once the potion had worn off.
"I still don't want him anywhere near Kagome when she returns." Youko said seriously.
"Inuyasha." Sesshomaru's voice cut out over the group. "You are not allowed to see your undead one, is that understood."
Inuyasha simply nodded. Too exhausted and ashamed to say anything.
*Future*
Hiei sat on the window seal as the rain began to fall outside. Kagome and Kurama were playing a game of cards and Kuwabara was absentmindedly flipping through the channels.
"So hey...Urameshi and Genkai sure have been gone a long time." Kuwabara said offhandedly.
"Indeed." Kurama replied as Kagome puled a card from his hand.
"Kurama...what do you think about our chances?" He asked as Kurama took a card from Kagome's hand. "Two more rounds and we get to go home."
"These are the semi-final's, it will definitely be a challenge to overcome." He said calmly as he placed a match down. "We move to a different stadium with an even wilder crowd. I'm sure the committee will do anything to thwart us."
Kagome reached out and grabbed another one of Kurama's cards. "Bring out the guns and arrows, it's nothing I'm afraid of." Kuwabara said bravely and Kagome let out a frustrated sigh as Kurama grabbed her last numbered card, leaving her with the Joker.
"I swear you're cheating." She said with a pout.
The door to the room opened and Keiko, Shiziru, and Yukina came in. "Playing cards? Can I join?" Shizuru asked and soon after the six of them were playing five card draw.
"Hiei...don't sit in that window all night, come join us!" Kagome said with a happy smile.
"Yes Hiei, come join, we're practically a family." Kurama joked, but he didn't take it well.
"Kurama. Don't make me pull out your precious voice box." He seethed as Hiei stomped from the window to his bedroom.
"Kurama." Kagome scolded as she got up to follow after the temperamental demon. Kagome reached up her hand and knocked on the door. "Hiei, can I come in?" She asked gently.
"Hn." Was her none to shocking reply, so she made her way into his room.
"Kurama is an ass sometimes." Kagome said bluntly as she sat upon the foot of the bed. Hiei just looked towards her from the top of the bed. "Why doesn't Yukina know you're her brother?"
"Would you want a known fugitive as your brother?" Hiei scoffed out.
"If it were Hiei, I wouldn't mind." She replied. "For being a Shorty McI-Don't-Need-Nobody, you've got a surprisingly warm attitude, at least towards Yukina and I. You're not as bad as you make yourself out to be." She finished with a warm smile as she moved to lay on the pillow next to him. "You, would make an exceptional big brother." She yawned and soon after fell asleep leaving Hiei to ponder her words before he too fell asleep.