Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this gentle adventure... especially for the one who's vertically challenged. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess where InuYasha is concerned. All due respect is also offered to Yoshihiro Togashi, whose fervid imagination is responsible for YuYu Hakusho.

An Affinity for Strangers

- 16 -
Guarded

The following evening, Kagome started as a vaguely familiar youki tickled the edges of her awareness. Swiftly reaching for the bow and quiver leaning against her desk, she clicked off the desk lamp and crossed to the window to peer into the darkened courtyard. Did the ones who hurt Minamino-kun follow him here? A quick glance over her shoulder confirmed that the redhead slept soundly, but then she remembered. The youkai I sensed before... he called him a friend.

When Kagome hurried downstairs, Mrs. Higurashi poked her head through the kitchen door. "How is he, dear?"

"Still sleeping," she replied hastily. "I'm going to... erm... get some fresh air."

Her mother nodded and said, "I'll have tea ready when you come back in."

Kagome slipped out into the warm night. The waning moon was a fat crescent hanging low over one of the neighboring office buildings, and crickets did their best to drown out the sound of traffic. Of all the places to choose. Stepping confidently along the smooth stone of the courtyard, she crossed to the God Tree. Inuyasha would throw a fit if he knew a strange demon was sitting on 'his' branch. Kagome softly called, "Excuse me, youkai-sama?"

The demon was barely visible in the darkness, but a pale face turned, and she knew eyes much keener than hers were making their assessment. Trying again, she asked, "You're Minamino-kun's friend?"

He looked away, only yielding a soft, "Hnn."

His response was so unexpected... yet so familiar, she couldn't help smiling. "He's resting." Pointing towards the house, she said, "My bedroom window is never latched; you're welcome to check on him for yourself."

The youkai vanished—one moment there, gone in the next. I wonder if he's anxious to see his friend... or just to get away from me?

- 17 -
Friend of a Friend

From the hallway, Kagome could sense two distinct youki—kitsune and... something unfamiliar. What kind of demon is he? When she entered, a black-clad figure turned from the bed, drawing himself up to his full height and glaring distrustfully. He was a scant few inches shorter than she, though his wild hair more than made up for the difference.

Kagome carried a tray towards her desk, and he shifted to make room, strategically placing himself between her and her weapons. A friend... but not an easy one. Moving slowly, she flicked on the desk lamp and began to pour. "I'm Kagome Higurashi."

Red eyes raked across her features, and she got the feeling that he was seeing more than the average person might. Finally, he replied, "Hiei."

"What happened?" she asked in neutral tones, extending a steaming cup.

After what felt like an eternity, he stepped forward and took it. "We were outnumbered."

"Will any of them follow you here?"

He smirked. "No."

"Good." She crossed with her own cup to the bed and knelt beside it. "What about you?" Hiei's powerful aura licking against her purity like dark flames, but she suspected his strength wasn't anywhere near its peak. "Were you injured?"

"I'm fine," he snapped, his fierce expression daring her to believe otherwise.

She only nodded. "I promised I would take care of Minamino-kun. He needs time to recover." Gathering her thoughts, Kagome diplomatically added, "If you don't mind, I'd feel better if you were here... to stand guard."

He weighed her request, then yielded, grunting an acknowledgment and arranging himself in the corner, his sword propped over his shoulder. The sight softened her heart further towards Shuuichi's prickly partner, who narrowed his eyes at her. "What?" he demanded mulishly.

Kagome smiled. "I'm glad Minamino-kun has someone like you."

- 18 -
Invitation

When Kurama woke the following morning, he turned his head and met Hiei's waiting gaze. "Interesting choice in boltholes," his partner remarked moodily.

"This shrine's aura of purity makes it an ideal place to hide."

"That's why you're here?"

"Of course."

Hiei's attention swung towards the door moments before it opened, admitting Kagome. He shot his partner a flat look, then zipped to the windowsill. "If you say so, Kurama," he said, then vanished.

"He could have stayed," Kagome sighed.

Kurama sat up cautiously, finding that Youko's superior healing abilities had served him well. As Kagome placed a breakfast tray across his lap, he studied her wan face. If the smudges under her eyes are any indication, she didn't sleep last night. He drew breath to apologize for his imposition, but she spoke first.

"When I was in the past, I met my former self." He stared, trying to process this newest revelation, and she picked up his spoon, pressing it into his hand. "It was...erm... awkward. We looked alike, but she wasn't me."

"Reincarnation?"

She nodded and continued, "We were two individuals sharing one soul, but you're one individual with two forms."

"Shuuichi Minamino is the name of the child who would have been if his place had not been yielded to Youko Kurama," he replied in a low voice. "In a sense, he never existed."

Kagome fiddled with the comforter, pleating the pink fabric between her fingers. "Hiei-san calls you Kurama."

"That's right."

"My sempai is Minamino-kun, and the kitsune is Youko... but together, you're Kurama."

It was simplistic, but it was also acceptance. Understanding what she wanted, he reached out to still her nervously twiddling fingers. "Higurashi-chan, would you like to call me by that name?"

"Please," she replied, blushing.

Squeezing her hand, he murmured, "Thank you."

End Note: These three drabbles were written for the Live Journal community fanfic(underscore)bakeoff and their Secret Ingredient for April 2010—Yielding. The drabbles are 299, 300, and 300 words respectively. Posted on April 21, 2010.