I am Soooo sorry I didn't update when promised!!! My brothers and I got
dragged up north to our cabin. 3 TVs (2 in black and white with knobs to
change the channels), 1 VCR, 1 radio, 0 Computers. I must not warn you,
only on blue moons will I be able to update on weekends from now to the
middle of September. On a happier note... I'M
DEGROUNDED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND I'M SO EXSTATIC ABOUT THAT, I DON'T
EVEN CARE IF DEGROUNDED ISN'T A WORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JOOOOOOOOOYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
inudemoness247 (Indeed... Thank you!)
fallen-666-angel (Thanks! Err.. Sorry, Lee but my own muses are ready to revolt as it is for all the overtime I'm putting them through *glares at men in togas with Pickett signs in head.* I REALLY don't need anymore right now...)
Luscious (Thank you! She can't wait, either. Kouga's coming, I'm gonna have him and Kurama fight soon. *cringes and starts banging head against wall,* No! I'm not supposed to tell you that!)
Mz X. Ti F F an Y (There wasn't much, but it'll pick up. I SWEAR I'll add more! It's just I don't think either Sango or Hiei are the type to fall madly in love over night and admit it the next day, so I'm taking this slow.)
star's dreams (Thanks! I love Hiei/Sango pairings, too!)
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Shippo- ..............................O.O
Yusuke- I think he's gone into shock
Kagome- *still red faced* I can't believe I just gave him 'The Talk!'
DV- I know.
Inu- *Laughing uncontrollably on the floor* Something good finally happened while being held hostage by the psycho fox-girl!
DV- Kagome, could you...
Kagome- It will be my pleasure. InuYasha...sitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsit sitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsits itsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsi tsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsit sitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsits itsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsi tsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsit sitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsits itsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsi tsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsit sitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsits itsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsi tsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsit sitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsits itsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsit SSSSSSSSSSSIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Inu- @_@
Everyone- *sweatdrop*
Keiko- she sat him 362 times...
Yusuke- Damn, look at that hole...
DV- 275 feet deep. Anyone else wanna make comments about my sanity???
Yusuke- Nope. We're good.
DV- Yay! Remember I own nothing. Not even my thoughts. Those belong to the yellow and green polk-a-dot cat with three heads that visits me at four twenty nine every Thursday. Now stick around to meet my equally insane cousin!
Everyone- O.O;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
\\...\\ Youko\Kurama talk -...- beast talk *...* telepathy '...' thoughts
***************************Kitsune Fluff (^--- ^)****************************
I woke up in the early morning. Careful not to disturb my pup, or anyone else sleeping in the crowded room, I slipped into the kitchen. I thanked the gods for my kitsune grace, which kept my movements silent and precise. I looked out the window. Near dawn, the others wouldn't be awake for nearly an hour. Humming to myself, I started to cook. Five minutes later, I heard a clatter behind me. startled, I turned to see Sango, Keiko, Botan, Yari, Yakusho and Yukina. A pot laid at their feet, and all were cringing at me. I raised an eyebrow.
"I take it you want to help."
An hour later the boys clamored into the kitchen, grumbling and yawning. At least until they saw all the food we prepared.
"Oh, you guys are up, are you?" Keiko said smiling. "Well, you better hurry before the food gets cold." They didn't need telling twice. While the boys were trying to consume half their body weight in food, I talked with Keiko about her training.
"Your starting to get the basics of your control so I was thinking about working on that for an hour a day from now on, then moving you on to the bow."
"Will the bow be really hard?" she asked anxiously.
"As hard as any other weapon would be," I answered honestly. "If you keep at it, though, you start to get it."
"doubt it," Keiko said sadly.
"I wasn't always a perfect shot, you know. It takes time, but it's worth it. You'll see."
I watched as yet another arrow veered off coarse and into the dirt. The miko energy around it melted away.
"Keep trying, Keiko." I called out. "Aim a little higher and watch the wind." She grumbled, but obeyed, striking the right edge of the target.
"I hit it!" she said excitedly. I smiled at her enthusiasm, remembering how excited I was when I started hitting my targets.
-Pity that if it was a demon, her arrow would have done no damage whatsoever,- Hogosha said from my arms.
"See, Keiko. You're catching on fast." I ignored my guardian's remark and walked over to my student.
"Too bad any demons that might come after me won't just stand still like the targets," She said, grimacing. I laughed.
"You catch on to moving targets sooner than you think," a slight screech diverted my attention to the forest. Curious, Keiko and I went to investigate. I smiled gently at what I saw.
InuYasha was sparring with Botan, her using the katana Sango had given her and InuYasha using the untransformed Tetsusaiga. Apparently, InuYasha had disarmed Botan who was currently sulking. Yari was sitting back watching the whole thing, unusually silent.
"You could of at least given me some warning!"
"Think the demons you fight will? Learn to think on your feet, wench."
BAM! I bit back a laugh as Botan abandoned the katana in favor of an oar that seemed to come out of thin air.
"BITCH! What was that for?!"
BAM!
"My name is Botan! You know it, USE IT!!!"
"Feh! What's with you wenches from the future?"
BAM!
"Ow!"
"Sit,"
BAM! That brought their attention to me. Well, Yari and Botan's attention, anyway. InuYasha was still in the dirt.
"Oh, Keiko, Kagome! I didn't see you two there," Botan said, blushing slightly. Now, what in the world could she be blushing about?
"That was obvious," her blush increased. Then it hit me. She was acting similar to the way I did when I had a crush on InuYasha! Kawaii!!!!!!!! I HAD to get those two together! Kami knows the hanyou needs SOMEONE to offer slight control over the wild Inu. The look on Keiko's face told me she had reached the same conclusion as me. Yari's smirk told me she had reached that long, long ago.
"What's the matter, Botan?" she asked with a devil-like grin "You look a little flushed. You're not getting a fever, are you?" Now poor Botan's face flamed. Really, Yari could be so evil sometimes...
"N-n-no!!!" she stammered, "I'm fine!" InuYasha peeled himself off the ground.
"Just what I need," He snorted, "Two odd wenches from the future gaining up on me," Botan smacked him again while I just leaned back and took it in.
-You're gonna use the command, right?- I shook my head, making Hogosha's ears droop slightly.
"No sit?" Yari asked, cocking her head.
"Yeah, Kagome," Keiko said, "You usually sit InuYasha for things like that." I smiled.
"I think he's being tormented enough right now," My hanyou friend let out a sigh of relief. "As a matter of fact, I was planning on taking the beads off soon," I should've brought a pair of sunglasses. When he heard that, InuYasha's face got bright enough to compete with the Sierra sun.
"How soon?!?!?!" I yelped when InuYasha was suddenly in front of me. I'd NEVER seen him move that fast! Hell, I couldn't see him move period! Hogosha growled slightly, but stopped when I squeezed him in warning.
"Don't DO that, InuYasha! You nearly gave me a heart attack!"
"How soon?!?!?!" I sighed and reached up.
SNAP!
It was almost comical to see InuYasha dancing around. It got even more amusing when he included Botan in his dance, Twirling around with her despite her high pitched protests.
"And InuYasha?" I said when he finished celebrating, though he still had a grin that I feared would split his face, "If you turn even ruder on me or start hurting poor Shippo, I'll put the rosary back on. Though perhaps with a new mistress holding the leash..." I cast a meaningful look in Botan's direction, watching her turn a shade of scarlet I never dreamed could be reached.
"Great idea, Kagome!" Yari said in a voice that put me on guard. "That way the puppy can still be punished and YOU can spend time getting to now a certain red-head a little better," I glared at her, fighting a blush from staining my cheeks. Keiko was choking back laugher beside me.
"Really?" I said innocently, "Just like you've been getting to know a certain perverted monk better?" Yari froze and Keiko's laugher finally spilled over.
-Actually,- Hogosha said as he wriggled his was out of my arms and onto my shoulder, -I think she come to know him as well as a girl CAN know a guy without losing her innocence.-
"I don't know WHAT you're talking about!" Yari said, sticking her nose in the air. I shook my head at my friend's antics.
"Come on, Keiko, let's get back to training." I said, dragging my student back to the targets.
"We've been at it all morning, Kagome!" Keiko groaned. It was noon and Keiko had been shooing targets all day. Smiling, I nodded.
"We'll work on the bow for the rest of the week. By then you should have a good enough hang of it that you'll hit the target most of the time. Then after that we'll work on concealment spells for your aura and scent. Then well move on to binding spells and short range miko attacks." Keiko gaped at me.
"That so much!" I shook my head.
"Actually, it's the bare minimum for what you'll need to keep your powers from backfiring on you. I can teach you a lot more, if you'd like," Keiko gulped.
"Maybe we should wait for things to cool down a little for that." She said. I shrugged.
"It's up to you."
"There you are," I turned to find Kurama coming towards us. He turned to Keiko as he neared. "I need to speak with Kagome alone for a moment," Keiko looked between us.
"Um, yeah of coarse!" She said with a sly grin, "I'll just go find out what Yusuke's doing. Do you want me to take Hogosha with me?" The night dragon was in her arms before I could reply and she started away, taking one last look at me and Kurama. My student's wolfish grin widened and she took off. I shook my head.
Something told me ten minuets from now everyone will assume Kurama and me a couple... not that I didn't like him, it was just that I wasn't sure I liked him in that way... well, actually I did like him in that way, but there was too much I needed to do right now and that kind of relationship just wasn't- I was talking to myself wasn't I?
"What do you need, Kurama?" I prayed this wasn't about that incident in the clearing last night. I myself still wasn't sure why I had done that. I mean I knew what I was doing it was just... The night and the forest... I was doing it again! Focus, Kagome!
"I was wondering if you'd like you accompany the kits and myself to a picnic. They persuaded me to come with them and wished for your presence as well." I almost breathed a sigh of relief.
"Oh, of coarse!" I said smiling. After all, I didn't want to leave the poor guy alone with my little brother and kit. Those two were becoming notorious in the village for their pranks, along with Kohaku. Kurama gave me that smile of his and we started into the village to find the boys. I fought a blush the whole way.
I smiled at the boys as they ran around the clearing, playing a game of tag. Kurama sat next to me, apparently deep in thought. Whatever he was thinking, he didn't look too happy. I laughed as Souta tackled Shippo, sending him into the dirt, snapping Kurama out of his thoughts.
"Momma?" Shippo said as he jumped into my lap, "When are you going back to your time?" I frowned.
"I don't know," I'm ashamed to admit it, but I nearly forgot about my time, my home and my father in the short time I'd spent here in the presence of new and old friends. I sighed, hugging my kit close. I wasn't even completely sure where I belonged anymore. The old family shrine in the Ningenkai... our kingdom in the Makai... or here, in futile Japan. It seemed every time I turned around, there was a new complication in my life.
"Do you think mom and gramps will call for us soon?" Souta asked, plopping down nearby.
"I don't know." I felt my gut twist in worry. After all, I'd left her with an entire kingdom waiting to kill her.
"You're mother was well known for her cunning when she was Queen of the shadow kitsune." Kurama said, sensing my distress, "I'm sure she's fine. Besides, most will side with her," I nodded. My recovered memories told me that.
"huh?" Souta said curiously.
"It is an unwritten, unspoken supreme law of those with any kind of kitsune blood that you can steal, cheat and con any body except your own flesh and blood," Souta looked confused at my explanation, "family honor is very important to the kitsune race, Souta. It's common for kitsune to bed many in their life time, but if they choose a life mate and have kits, they must do anything in their power to protect that family,"
"Your blood is your honor," Shippo added, "Kitsunes stay near their families until they are old enough to find mates. Even then, they return to their family if anything happens and avenge any deaths that occur in the family," he got a far away look in his eyes then, obviously recalling avenging his own parents from the thunder brothers. I squeezed him gently.
"surrogated family members earn the same treatment as those born into the family," I said softly, "and they are honored on the same scale," Shippo grinned up at me and Kurama got that look on his face again that he was in deep thought.
He snapped out of it pretty quickly though, and started to teach the boys simple, yet fascinating tricks with plants. I didn't like that look on Shippo's face when he was learning about how to make vines heed his commands.
I watched Kurama as he taught the boys, admiring his patience at their simple mistakes. InuYasha would've blown up at them, if it was him teaching and Miroku would've probably found ways to slip 'lessons' that I'd rather the boys no know into their training. I felt my lip twitch at that. Amazing how something as simple as how they react to kids can change a girls perspective about guys. Looking to the sky, I noticed how late it was getting.
"Kurama?" I called out, catching his attention. "It's getting late. Could you head back to the village with the boys while I go to the hot springs before our lesson?" he smiled at me.
"Of coarse, Kagome." I smiled back at him. InuYasha was never this nice.
"Thanks. And could you please keep an eye on the pervert, too. You can use any force necessary to keep him from the hot springs." At that a bemused look passed his face.
"Naturally." I laughed and headed to the springs. Halfway there, I encountered a stampede that turned out to be the other girls, eager to spent time at the hot spring and away from the men.
"Ahhh..." Keiko said as she relaxed in the water. "finally a chance to relax..."
"Hear, hear," Yari said, reaching for the shampoo, "no men, no kits, no screaming generals..."
"Don't whine, Yari, it spoils the mood," Yakuso said, ignoring the tongue that flashed in her direction from Yari. Yukina smiled lightly.
"You bicker like sisters." I laughed as both kitsunes sputtered in indignance.
"So, what did Kurama want, Kagome?" suddenly all attention was on me. I blushed lightly.
"Shippo and Souta wanted to have a picnic in the clearing and wanted us along." Loud giggling greeted my words.
"Awww..."
"Kawaii!"
"What happened?"
"Nothing, really." That's when I thought of something. "Yakuso, could you do me a favor?" the healer turned to me with a curious look. "Souta and Shippo don't know that much about the Makai or our kingdom. Would you mind giving them lessons about what it's like, how to act and what to and not to say? You were always a lot better with that stuff than I was." Yakuso smiled.
"Of coarse, Kagome. I've been feeling pretty useless around here anyways."
"Does this mean you'll come back to the castle when we return to our proper time period?" Yari asked as she tossed the soap to Botan, who just barely managed to catch it. I sighed.
"I don't know, but I have to keep that option open if anything happens to father." Yari nodded.
"Yeah, if King Kurai kicks the bucket, you and Souta'll be in charge of a lot of kitsunes."
"Don't remind me." I said dryly. Especially considering I'd have to rule until Souta came of age. I didn't want to be Queen! Besides, if I DID become queen, I'd have to get a mate. An image of Kurama came to mind and I was suddenly at war with a blush.
"It couldn't be that bad," Yukina said.
"You don't have to be so negative about it, Princess Kagome Rabenda Tsuyu Hana Otome of the Shadow Kitsune Royal Family in the Northern Makai," VERY evil glare at Yakuso. Not only did she use my whole title, but all of my name as well! She knows I hate that! "The entire kitsune populace is waiting eagerly for the return of a true royal shadow kitsune. Considering there are only four in existence, one is retired and only two others are of proper age to take the responsibilities..."
"I know, I know! You don't have to rub it in," I sighed. The other girls grinned at me.
"I wasn't rubbing it in, I was simply reinforming you of your social status." I gave Yakuso an incredulous look. I still couldn't believe she was Ganko's twin.
Thinking about Ganko dampened my mood. We might've fought like cats and dogs, but he was still one of my first friends. I couldn't see him getting into the whole kitsune general thing. It just wasn't his style. What had happened in the decade I had been gone?
"Are you alright, Kagome?" I look over at Yukina's concerned face with a brilliant smile.
"Fine," I said, swimming over to the conditioner. Sango sighed slightly as she leaned back in the water.
*Do ningens have to make that annoying noise?* Sango opened her eyes in annoyance.
*What do you care?* she mentally grumbled.
*hn*
*Do you always have to do that?*
*I didn't ask for your opinions about my habits, ningen.*
*Like I asked for yours?!*
*Mine are fit to give with out consent,*
*Why you-*
*How do you know what noises we're making, anyways?* I asked curiously, *the only way you could know something like that is if you're nearby...*
*...*
"HENTAI!" Sango screamed into the night, earning alarmed looks from everyone nearby. I shook my head.
"He's not here, Sango."
"I don't care! He's still a hentai!"
"Who?" Botan asked, puzzled.
"That fire apparition friend of yours was talking to Sango telepathically." Botan looked at me skeptically.
"Hiei? Spiky black hair, red eyes, wears black, really quiet?"
"Yep,"
"You sure? Hiei usually keeps to himself..."
"Jerk." Sango fumed, glowering at a rock with what looked suspiciously like a blush creeping across her cheeks. I looked at her, tense.
"You okay Sango?" She frowned at me. "Normally, you would've stormed out of here to hunt a guy down if you so much as thought he turned your way during a bath." Sango's blush doubled, but considering how close she was to the water now it might've just been the heat from the spring.
"Fine. I just don't feel like wasting my energy like that. And the creep probably won't even listen to me anyway." I frowned, bewildered.
"Odd. Miroku never learned his lesson about groping and hitting on girls, yet you still slap him around whenever he does." Now I was SURE Sango was blushing.
"Erm..." I burst out laughing, and the others soon accompanied me. Sango's face switched from embarrassed to mortified. "Nonono!!! It's not what you think!"
"Then what is it?" Keiko asked.
"... I don't know, but it's not THAT!" We continued to laugh. "Oh, come on! It's not like that and even if it was, not one of you has any room to talk!" That shut everyone up. Yukina even had a light blush on her cheeks
"Actually, I've got enough room to say whatever I please," Yakuso said, swimming over to the towels to grab one. "Men are nothing but a hindrance, I'll never fall in love." We all stared at her. "What?"
"You just jinxed yourself," Botan breathed. The rest of us burst into laugher.
"I did not!"
"I'll bet you fall in love before the week is over."
"... Depends, what are the stakes?" I raised a hand to cover a smile as Yari shot me an incredulous look. Yakuso was never this daring before, perhaps the Sengoku Jidai was agreeing with her...
"Name what you want." Yakuso looked thoughtful for a second, then got a glint in her eye.
"If I win, you have to publicly announce your feelings towards the hanyou," My ears perked as Botan blushed. Then she got a catty look on her face.
"Alright. But if I win, YOU have to kiss the lucky guy in front of everyone here," Everyone grinned.
"Deal,"
"Great!"
I sighed in content as I walked back to the village with the girls. They were still amused about the bet, especially since Yakuso was making a show out of sticking her nose in the air primly. I rose an eyebrow as we passed a tree that seemed to have latched itself to a desperate looking Miroku. His face shown in relief when he saw us.
"Ah! Hello, Ladies. Isn't this a lovely-"
"What the hell happened here?" Yari asked, cutting him off.
"Happened, Lady Yari?"
"Yes, why has the vegetation taken such a liking to you?" I blinked in confusion.
"This tree wasn't here this morning." I muttered, looking at the odd, full grown tree that tightened it's grip on Miroku as he struggled to get away.
"Oh, this. Well you see my dear Ladies, I was on my way to retrieve some wood for the fire when this tree suddenly sprouted from the ground and bound me with it's branches."
"How long have you been standing here like this?" I asked, my suspicion growing.
"Nearly an hour."
"And none of the boys came out here to help you? Kurama's specialty is plants, so I'm pretty sure he could call off a rouge tree if you yelled for him."
"Well, you see Lady Kagome-"
"Kurama's the one that put him there in the first place," I turned to see Souta, Shippo and Kohaku at the flap of Kaede's hut. Shippo furthered his explanation "Miroku was sneaking out to spy on you girls so Kurama used a seed to make that tree and keep Miroku away just like he promised." I blushed as I felt the other girls staring at my back.
"Didn't expect him to take it so seriously." I murmured. Shippo grinned at me.
"He's waiting in the clearing we had the picnic at to give you your training." The other giggled as I hurried to meet my red haired sensei.
"Very good, Kagome, we're done for the evening," I smiled and let out a sigh of relief. These tricks were tough! I fell into pace beside Kurama as we headed back to the village.
"Kurama?" I said, looking at the sliver of moon above us. The new moon would come soon. I made a mental note to remind InuYasha so he wouldn't do anything stupid.
"Yes, Kagome?"
"How come you're both a kitsune and a human at the same time?" I'd been meaning to ask him that for a while, but something would always come up...
Kurama sighed and explained his long, complicated story about the kitsune thief who resorted to sharing a human's body to save his life. By the time he finished, my jaw would've hit the dirt if it was physically possible.
"You're THE Youko Kurama?!"
"Yes," he said in amusement, "And you are the legendary missing kitsune princess any demon in the Makai would sell his right arm to get his hands on." I flinched.
"Yikes, my father must've put out one hell of a bounty for info on me."
"Indeed," that's when something hit me.
"Kurama?"
"Yes?"
"You wouldn't happen to have been the silver kitsune thief that stole my great-grandmother's bow from my mother, would you?" Kurama's wince answered that. "KURAMA!"
"I apologize, Kagome, the bow can be returned if you wish," I glared at him for a second, then sighed.
"Oh, alright." Kurama relaxed. "By the way, you might want to keep the whole thing about you being Youko Kurama from Yari and Yakuso, or you'll have two more raging fangirls to deal with," I laughed as Kurama flinched. The girls in the village were now constantly giggling over, flirting with and blushing at Kurama.
Suddenly I felt very playful. Grinning at Kurama, I raced ahead as fast as I could, which was pretty damn fast by the way. Kurama, sensing my mood, ran along side me. giggling to myself, I picked up speed and weaved through the trees, Kurama in pursuit. I looked back to see him gaining on me. How could he move so fast? Well, this was the legendary kitsune thief we were talking about.
Unfortunately, I forgot were I was heading and ended up slipping on wet mud and falling into the very hot spring I had bathed in with the girls. I let out an undignified 'Eep!' as I was suddenly submerged in hot water. I swam to the surface to meet Kurama's amused face.
"Don't say a word," I grumbled as I swam to the edge. Kurama simply chuckled and reached out to help me out of the water. I resisted the animalistic urge to shake myself dry. I sneezed, the air feeling much colder after my involuntary swim. Suddenly I found a jacket being held out in front of me.
"You'll catch cold if you run around in the middle of the night soaking wet." Kurama said in amusement. I pouted, but grabbed the jacket and wrapped myself in it. It smelled like Kurama, roses and rain.
"Now I'm all wet," I grumbled.
"Who's fault is that?" I wrinkled my nose at my companion.
"I didn't hear you protesting during our little jog," Kurama chuckled.
"We should head back," I nodded, and we started towards the village again, Kurama walking a little behind me.
I stopped a mile outside the village and turned to Kurama, with the intention of asking him something. Kurama, though appeared to be in thought, and knocked right into me. We landed in the dirt, him on top of me.
"Sorry!" "I apologize!"
We struggled away from each other, red faced (AN; Can't see why, I'd LOVE to be in her place! ^-^) I moved up, to try an wiggle out from under him, but was stopped by Kurama's lips brushing mine.
Everything seemed to stop for a second as I looked into Kurama's green eyes. I felt him move to catch my lips in a gentle kiss and did nothing to stop him.
I relaxed against him, wrapping one arm around his neck as I kept the other against his chest. His arms moved around my waist, and his tongue begged for entrance to my mouth. I gave it without hesitation.
We battled for dominance for a while, a fight I lost with no regret and the kiss continued. I was grateful youkai can hold their breath so much longer than humans. A week ago, I'd have passed out from lack of oxygen by now.
Eventually, though, we did have to part for air. We blinked at each other, red faced and panting. Kurama opened his mouth to say something...
BAM!!!!! I yelled out Kurama's name as he was suddenly thrown into a tree.
"WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!?!"
************************************************************************
Ganko smiled for the first time in days as he shook hands with the kitsune in front of him.
"Are you sure you want to do this, Sire? It is very dangerous..."
"You should know better than to waste your breath, my friend. I've got family to help." The other kitsune sighed.
"It is your decision, Sire."
"Glad you see it my way, now where exactly are they?"
************************************************************************
DV- Two cliffies in one chapter... *looks out towards readers innocently* was that too mean?
Everyone- *Nods vigorously*
DV- Well, yell at me in the reviews. As a matter of fact, the person that comes up with the most creative threat for the cliffie gets a cookie! ^-^ Any one who can guess the mystery creep that interrupted them get a bakery full of goodies. Brownies...*drools*
Kagome- Don't you fear for your life?
DV- Why would I do something as silly as that?
Everyone- -_-;
DING DONG!
DV- YAAAAAAAAAAAAYYY!!!! *throws door open* QUEENIE!!!!!!!!!!!
QFF- DV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *glomps*
DV- Can't... breathe...
Inu- THIS is the vixen's COUSIN?!
Yusuke- What is she?
QFF- Can't you tell?
Kagome- Well, her tail looks like it came from a horse...
Kurama- An uma youkai.
QFF- And the winner is- FOX BOY *suggestive voice* wanna get your prize?
DV- MIND OUT OF GUTTER, QUEENIE!!!!!!!!!
QFF- Hmph!
Miroku- *to QFF* Will you bear my child? *gropes QFF*
Miroku suddenly chained above pit of Jaws sized sharks, slowly being lowered down.
Kagome- Wow...
Sango- I didn't know uma youkai could do that!
QFF- *eye twitching* dirty... rotten... perverted...
DV- Sadly that all we have time for today.
QFF- WHAT?! But I just got here!
DV- Which is why I leave begging to the reviewers to you.
QFF- Review or I'll hunt all of you down, gut you alive and eat your inner organs.
DV- THAT IS NOT BEGGING, QUEENIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
QFF- I don't beg *evil smirk*
inudemoness247 (Indeed... Thank you!)
fallen-666-angel (Thanks! Err.. Sorry, Lee but my own muses are ready to revolt as it is for all the overtime I'm putting them through *glares at men in togas with Pickett signs in head.* I REALLY don't need anymore right now...)
Luscious (Thank you! She can't wait, either. Kouga's coming, I'm gonna have him and Kurama fight soon. *cringes and starts banging head against wall,* No! I'm not supposed to tell you that!)
Mz X. Ti F F an Y (There wasn't much, but it'll pick up. I SWEAR I'll add more! It's just I don't think either Sango or Hiei are the type to fall madly in love over night and admit it the next day, so I'm taking this slow.)
star's dreams (Thanks! I love Hiei/Sango pairings, too!)
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ````````````````````````````````
Shippo- ..............................O.O
Yusuke- I think he's gone into shock
Kagome- *still red faced* I can't believe I just gave him 'The Talk!'
DV- I know.
Inu- *Laughing uncontrollably on the floor* Something good finally happened while being held hostage by the psycho fox-girl!
DV- Kagome, could you...
Kagome- It will be my pleasure. InuYasha...sitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsit sitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsits itsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsi tsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsit sitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsits itsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsi tsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsit sitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsits itsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsi tsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsit sitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsits itsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsi tsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsit sitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsits itsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitsit SSSSSSSSSSSIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Inu- @_@
Everyone- *sweatdrop*
Keiko- she sat him 362 times...
Yusuke- Damn, look at that hole...
DV- 275 feet deep. Anyone else wanna make comments about my sanity???
Yusuke- Nope. We're good.
DV- Yay! Remember I own nothing. Not even my thoughts. Those belong to the yellow and green polk-a-dot cat with three heads that visits me at four twenty nine every Thursday. Now stick around to meet my equally insane cousin!
Everyone- O.O;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
\\...\\ Youko\Kurama talk -...- beast talk *...* telepathy '...' thoughts
***************************Kitsune Fluff (^--- ^)****************************
I woke up in the early morning. Careful not to disturb my pup, or anyone else sleeping in the crowded room, I slipped into the kitchen. I thanked the gods for my kitsune grace, which kept my movements silent and precise. I looked out the window. Near dawn, the others wouldn't be awake for nearly an hour. Humming to myself, I started to cook. Five minutes later, I heard a clatter behind me. startled, I turned to see Sango, Keiko, Botan, Yari, Yakusho and Yukina. A pot laid at their feet, and all were cringing at me. I raised an eyebrow.
"I take it you want to help."
An hour later the boys clamored into the kitchen, grumbling and yawning. At least until they saw all the food we prepared.
"Oh, you guys are up, are you?" Keiko said smiling. "Well, you better hurry before the food gets cold." They didn't need telling twice. While the boys were trying to consume half their body weight in food, I talked with Keiko about her training.
"Your starting to get the basics of your control so I was thinking about working on that for an hour a day from now on, then moving you on to the bow."
"Will the bow be really hard?" she asked anxiously.
"As hard as any other weapon would be," I answered honestly. "If you keep at it, though, you start to get it."
"doubt it," Keiko said sadly.
"I wasn't always a perfect shot, you know. It takes time, but it's worth it. You'll see."
I watched as yet another arrow veered off coarse and into the dirt. The miko energy around it melted away.
"Keep trying, Keiko." I called out. "Aim a little higher and watch the wind." She grumbled, but obeyed, striking the right edge of the target.
"I hit it!" she said excitedly. I smiled at her enthusiasm, remembering how excited I was when I started hitting my targets.
-Pity that if it was a demon, her arrow would have done no damage whatsoever,- Hogosha said from my arms.
"See, Keiko. You're catching on fast." I ignored my guardian's remark and walked over to my student.
"Too bad any demons that might come after me won't just stand still like the targets," She said, grimacing. I laughed.
"You catch on to moving targets sooner than you think," a slight screech diverted my attention to the forest. Curious, Keiko and I went to investigate. I smiled gently at what I saw.
InuYasha was sparring with Botan, her using the katana Sango had given her and InuYasha using the untransformed Tetsusaiga. Apparently, InuYasha had disarmed Botan who was currently sulking. Yari was sitting back watching the whole thing, unusually silent.
"You could of at least given me some warning!"
"Think the demons you fight will? Learn to think on your feet, wench."
BAM! I bit back a laugh as Botan abandoned the katana in favor of an oar that seemed to come out of thin air.
"BITCH! What was that for?!"
BAM!
"My name is Botan! You know it, USE IT!!!"
"Feh! What's with you wenches from the future?"
BAM!
"Ow!"
"Sit,"
BAM! That brought their attention to me. Well, Yari and Botan's attention, anyway. InuYasha was still in the dirt.
"Oh, Keiko, Kagome! I didn't see you two there," Botan said, blushing slightly. Now, what in the world could she be blushing about?
"That was obvious," her blush increased. Then it hit me. She was acting similar to the way I did when I had a crush on InuYasha! Kawaii!!!!!!!! I HAD to get those two together! Kami knows the hanyou needs SOMEONE to offer slight control over the wild Inu. The look on Keiko's face told me she had reached the same conclusion as me. Yari's smirk told me she had reached that long, long ago.
"What's the matter, Botan?" she asked with a devil-like grin "You look a little flushed. You're not getting a fever, are you?" Now poor Botan's face flamed. Really, Yari could be so evil sometimes...
"N-n-no!!!" she stammered, "I'm fine!" InuYasha peeled himself off the ground.
"Just what I need," He snorted, "Two odd wenches from the future gaining up on me," Botan smacked him again while I just leaned back and took it in.
-You're gonna use the command, right?- I shook my head, making Hogosha's ears droop slightly.
"No sit?" Yari asked, cocking her head.
"Yeah, Kagome," Keiko said, "You usually sit InuYasha for things like that." I smiled.
"I think he's being tormented enough right now," My hanyou friend let out a sigh of relief. "As a matter of fact, I was planning on taking the beads off soon," I should've brought a pair of sunglasses. When he heard that, InuYasha's face got bright enough to compete with the Sierra sun.
"How soon?!?!?!" I yelped when InuYasha was suddenly in front of me. I'd NEVER seen him move that fast! Hell, I couldn't see him move period! Hogosha growled slightly, but stopped when I squeezed him in warning.
"Don't DO that, InuYasha! You nearly gave me a heart attack!"
"How soon?!?!?!" I sighed and reached up.
SNAP!
It was almost comical to see InuYasha dancing around. It got even more amusing when he included Botan in his dance, Twirling around with her despite her high pitched protests.
"And InuYasha?" I said when he finished celebrating, though he still had a grin that I feared would split his face, "If you turn even ruder on me or start hurting poor Shippo, I'll put the rosary back on. Though perhaps with a new mistress holding the leash..." I cast a meaningful look in Botan's direction, watching her turn a shade of scarlet I never dreamed could be reached.
"Great idea, Kagome!" Yari said in a voice that put me on guard. "That way the puppy can still be punished and YOU can spend time getting to now a certain red-head a little better," I glared at her, fighting a blush from staining my cheeks. Keiko was choking back laugher beside me.
"Really?" I said innocently, "Just like you've been getting to know a certain perverted monk better?" Yari froze and Keiko's laugher finally spilled over.
-Actually,- Hogosha said as he wriggled his was out of my arms and onto my shoulder, -I think she come to know him as well as a girl CAN know a guy without losing her innocence.-
"I don't know WHAT you're talking about!" Yari said, sticking her nose in the air. I shook my head at my friend's antics.
"Come on, Keiko, let's get back to training." I said, dragging my student back to the targets.
"We've been at it all morning, Kagome!" Keiko groaned. It was noon and Keiko had been shooing targets all day. Smiling, I nodded.
"We'll work on the bow for the rest of the week. By then you should have a good enough hang of it that you'll hit the target most of the time. Then after that we'll work on concealment spells for your aura and scent. Then well move on to binding spells and short range miko attacks." Keiko gaped at me.
"That so much!" I shook my head.
"Actually, it's the bare minimum for what you'll need to keep your powers from backfiring on you. I can teach you a lot more, if you'd like," Keiko gulped.
"Maybe we should wait for things to cool down a little for that." She said. I shrugged.
"It's up to you."
"There you are," I turned to find Kurama coming towards us. He turned to Keiko as he neared. "I need to speak with Kagome alone for a moment," Keiko looked between us.
"Um, yeah of coarse!" She said with a sly grin, "I'll just go find out what Yusuke's doing. Do you want me to take Hogosha with me?" The night dragon was in her arms before I could reply and she started away, taking one last look at me and Kurama. My student's wolfish grin widened and she took off. I shook my head.
Something told me ten minuets from now everyone will assume Kurama and me a couple... not that I didn't like him, it was just that I wasn't sure I liked him in that way... well, actually I did like him in that way, but there was too much I needed to do right now and that kind of relationship just wasn't- I was talking to myself wasn't I?
"What do you need, Kurama?" I prayed this wasn't about that incident in the clearing last night. I myself still wasn't sure why I had done that. I mean I knew what I was doing it was just... The night and the forest... I was doing it again! Focus, Kagome!
"I was wondering if you'd like you accompany the kits and myself to a picnic. They persuaded me to come with them and wished for your presence as well." I almost breathed a sigh of relief.
"Oh, of coarse!" I said smiling. After all, I didn't want to leave the poor guy alone with my little brother and kit. Those two were becoming notorious in the village for their pranks, along with Kohaku. Kurama gave me that smile of his and we started into the village to find the boys. I fought a blush the whole way.
I smiled at the boys as they ran around the clearing, playing a game of tag. Kurama sat next to me, apparently deep in thought. Whatever he was thinking, he didn't look too happy. I laughed as Souta tackled Shippo, sending him into the dirt, snapping Kurama out of his thoughts.
"Momma?" Shippo said as he jumped into my lap, "When are you going back to your time?" I frowned.
"I don't know," I'm ashamed to admit it, but I nearly forgot about my time, my home and my father in the short time I'd spent here in the presence of new and old friends. I sighed, hugging my kit close. I wasn't even completely sure where I belonged anymore. The old family shrine in the Ningenkai... our kingdom in the Makai... or here, in futile Japan. It seemed every time I turned around, there was a new complication in my life.
"Do you think mom and gramps will call for us soon?" Souta asked, plopping down nearby.
"I don't know." I felt my gut twist in worry. After all, I'd left her with an entire kingdom waiting to kill her.
"You're mother was well known for her cunning when she was Queen of the shadow kitsune." Kurama said, sensing my distress, "I'm sure she's fine. Besides, most will side with her," I nodded. My recovered memories told me that.
"huh?" Souta said curiously.
"It is an unwritten, unspoken supreme law of those with any kind of kitsune blood that you can steal, cheat and con any body except your own flesh and blood," Souta looked confused at my explanation, "family honor is very important to the kitsune race, Souta. It's common for kitsune to bed many in their life time, but if they choose a life mate and have kits, they must do anything in their power to protect that family,"
"Your blood is your honor," Shippo added, "Kitsunes stay near their families until they are old enough to find mates. Even then, they return to their family if anything happens and avenge any deaths that occur in the family," he got a far away look in his eyes then, obviously recalling avenging his own parents from the thunder brothers. I squeezed him gently.
"surrogated family members earn the same treatment as those born into the family," I said softly, "and they are honored on the same scale," Shippo grinned up at me and Kurama got that look on his face again that he was in deep thought.
He snapped out of it pretty quickly though, and started to teach the boys simple, yet fascinating tricks with plants. I didn't like that look on Shippo's face when he was learning about how to make vines heed his commands.
I watched Kurama as he taught the boys, admiring his patience at their simple mistakes. InuYasha would've blown up at them, if it was him teaching and Miroku would've probably found ways to slip 'lessons' that I'd rather the boys no know into their training. I felt my lip twitch at that. Amazing how something as simple as how they react to kids can change a girls perspective about guys. Looking to the sky, I noticed how late it was getting.
"Kurama?" I called out, catching his attention. "It's getting late. Could you head back to the village with the boys while I go to the hot springs before our lesson?" he smiled at me.
"Of coarse, Kagome." I smiled back at him. InuYasha was never this nice.
"Thanks. And could you please keep an eye on the pervert, too. You can use any force necessary to keep him from the hot springs." At that a bemused look passed his face.
"Naturally." I laughed and headed to the springs. Halfway there, I encountered a stampede that turned out to be the other girls, eager to spent time at the hot spring and away from the men.
"Ahhh..." Keiko said as she relaxed in the water. "finally a chance to relax..."
"Hear, hear," Yari said, reaching for the shampoo, "no men, no kits, no screaming generals..."
"Don't whine, Yari, it spoils the mood," Yakuso said, ignoring the tongue that flashed in her direction from Yari. Yukina smiled lightly.
"You bicker like sisters." I laughed as both kitsunes sputtered in indignance.
"So, what did Kurama want, Kagome?" suddenly all attention was on me. I blushed lightly.
"Shippo and Souta wanted to have a picnic in the clearing and wanted us along." Loud giggling greeted my words.
"Awww..."
"Kawaii!"
"What happened?"
"Nothing, really." That's when I thought of something. "Yakuso, could you do me a favor?" the healer turned to me with a curious look. "Souta and Shippo don't know that much about the Makai or our kingdom. Would you mind giving them lessons about what it's like, how to act and what to and not to say? You were always a lot better with that stuff than I was." Yakuso smiled.
"Of coarse, Kagome. I've been feeling pretty useless around here anyways."
"Does this mean you'll come back to the castle when we return to our proper time period?" Yari asked as she tossed the soap to Botan, who just barely managed to catch it. I sighed.
"I don't know, but I have to keep that option open if anything happens to father." Yari nodded.
"Yeah, if King Kurai kicks the bucket, you and Souta'll be in charge of a lot of kitsunes."
"Don't remind me." I said dryly. Especially considering I'd have to rule until Souta came of age. I didn't want to be Queen! Besides, if I DID become queen, I'd have to get a mate. An image of Kurama came to mind and I was suddenly at war with a blush.
"It couldn't be that bad," Yukina said.
"You don't have to be so negative about it, Princess Kagome Rabenda Tsuyu Hana Otome of the Shadow Kitsune Royal Family in the Northern Makai," VERY evil glare at Yakuso. Not only did she use my whole title, but all of my name as well! She knows I hate that! "The entire kitsune populace is waiting eagerly for the return of a true royal shadow kitsune. Considering there are only four in existence, one is retired and only two others are of proper age to take the responsibilities..."
"I know, I know! You don't have to rub it in," I sighed. The other girls grinned at me.
"I wasn't rubbing it in, I was simply reinforming you of your social status." I gave Yakuso an incredulous look. I still couldn't believe she was Ganko's twin.
Thinking about Ganko dampened my mood. We might've fought like cats and dogs, but he was still one of my first friends. I couldn't see him getting into the whole kitsune general thing. It just wasn't his style. What had happened in the decade I had been gone?
"Are you alright, Kagome?" I look over at Yukina's concerned face with a brilliant smile.
"Fine," I said, swimming over to the conditioner. Sango sighed slightly as she leaned back in the water.
*Do ningens have to make that annoying noise?* Sango opened her eyes in annoyance.
*What do you care?* she mentally grumbled.
*hn*
*Do you always have to do that?*
*I didn't ask for your opinions about my habits, ningen.*
*Like I asked for yours?!*
*Mine are fit to give with out consent,*
*Why you-*
*How do you know what noises we're making, anyways?* I asked curiously, *the only way you could know something like that is if you're nearby...*
*...*
"HENTAI!" Sango screamed into the night, earning alarmed looks from everyone nearby. I shook my head.
"He's not here, Sango."
"I don't care! He's still a hentai!"
"Who?" Botan asked, puzzled.
"That fire apparition friend of yours was talking to Sango telepathically." Botan looked at me skeptically.
"Hiei? Spiky black hair, red eyes, wears black, really quiet?"
"Yep,"
"You sure? Hiei usually keeps to himself..."
"Jerk." Sango fumed, glowering at a rock with what looked suspiciously like a blush creeping across her cheeks. I looked at her, tense.
"You okay Sango?" She frowned at me. "Normally, you would've stormed out of here to hunt a guy down if you so much as thought he turned your way during a bath." Sango's blush doubled, but considering how close she was to the water now it might've just been the heat from the spring.
"Fine. I just don't feel like wasting my energy like that. And the creep probably won't even listen to me anyway." I frowned, bewildered.
"Odd. Miroku never learned his lesson about groping and hitting on girls, yet you still slap him around whenever he does." Now I was SURE Sango was blushing.
"Erm..." I burst out laughing, and the others soon accompanied me. Sango's face switched from embarrassed to mortified. "Nonono!!! It's not what you think!"
"Then what is it?" Keiko asked.
"... I don't know, but it's not THAT!" We continued to laugh. "Oh, come on! It's not like that and even if it was, not one of you has any room to talk!" That shut everyone up. Yukina even had a light blush on her cheeks
"Actually, I've got enough room to say whatever I please," Yakuso said, swimming over to the towels to grab one. "Men are nothing but a hindrance, I'll never fall in love." We all stared at her. "What?"
"You just jinxed yourself," Botan breathed. The rest of us burst into laugher.
"I did not!"
"I'll bet you fall in love before the week is over."
"... Depends, what are the stakes?" I raised a hand to cover a smile as Yari shot me an incredulous look. Yakuso was never this daring before, perhaps the Sengoku Jidai was agreeing with her...
"Name what you want." Yakuso looked thoughtful for a second, then got a glint in her eye.
"If I win, you have to publicly announce your feelings towards the hanyou," My ears perked as Botan blushed. Then she got a catty look on her face.
"Alright. But if I win, YOU have to kiss the lucky guy in front of everyone here," Everyone grinned.
"Deal,"
"Great!"
I sighed in content as I walked back to the village with the girls. They were still amused about the bet, especially since Yakuso was making a show out of sticking her nose in the air primly. I rose an eyebrow as we passed a tree that seemed to have latched itself to a desperate looking Miroku. His face shown in relief when he saw us.
"Ah! Hello, Ladies. Isn't this a lovely-"
"What the hell happened here?" Yari asked, cutting him off.
"Happened, Lady Yari?"
"Yes, why has the vegetation taken such a liking to you?" I blinked in confusion.
"This tree wasn't here this morning." I muttered, looking at the odd, full grown tree that tightened it's grip on Miroku as he struggled to get away.
"Oh, this. Well you see my dear Ladies, I was on my way to retrieve some wood for the fire when this tree suddenly sprouted from the ground and bound me with it's branches."
"How long have you been standing here like this?" I asked, my suspicion growing.
"Nearly an hour."
"And none of the boys came out here to help you? Kurama's specialty is plants, so I'm pretty sure he could call off a rouge tree if you yelled for him."
"Well, you see Lady Kagome-"
"Kurama's the one that put him there in the first place," I turned to see Souta, Shippo and Kohaku at the flap of Kaede's hut. Shippo furthered his explanation "Miroku was sneaking out to spy on you girls so Kurama used a seed to make that tree and keep Miroku away just like he promised." I blushed as I felt the other girls staring at my back.
"Didn't expect him to take it so seriously." I murmured. Shippo grinned at me.
"He's waiting in the clearing we had the picnic at to give you your training." The other giggled as I hurried to meet my red haired sensei.
"Very good, Kagome, we're done for the evening," I smiled and let out a sigh of relief. These tricks were tough! I fell into pace beside Kurama as we headed back to the village.
"Kurama?" I said, looking at the sliver of moon above us. The new moon would come soon. I made a mental note to remind InuYasha so he wouldn't do anything stupid.
"Yes, Kagome?"
"How come you're both a kitsune and a human at the same time?" I'd been meaning to ask him that for a while, but something would always come up...
Kurama sighed and explained his long, complicated story about the kitsune thief who resorted to sharing a human's body to save his life. By the time he finished, my jaw would've hit the dirt if it was physically possible.
"You're THE Youko Kurama?!"
"Yes," he said in amusement, "And you are the legendary missing kitsune princess any demon in the Makai would sell his right arm to get his hands on." I flinched.
"Yikes, my father must've put out one hell of a bounty for info on me."
"Indeed," that's when something hit me.
"Kurama?"
"Yes?"
"You wouldn't happen to have been the silver kitsune thief that stole my great-grandmother's bow from my mother, would you?" Kurama's wince answered that. "KURAMA!"
"I apologize, Kagome, the bow can be returned if you wish," I glared at him for a second, then sighed.
"Oh, alright." Kurama relaxed. "By the way, you might want to keep the whole thing about you being Youko Kurama from Yari and Yakuso, or you'll have two more raging fangirls to deal with," I laughed as Kurama flinched. The girls in the village were now constantly giggling over, flirting with and blushing at Kurama.
Suddenly I felt very playful. Grinning at Kurama, I raced ahead as fast as I could, which was pretty damn fast by the way. Kurama, sensing my mood, ran along side me. giggling to myself, I picked up speed and weaved through the trees, Kurama in pursuit. I looked back to see him gaining on me. How could he move so fast? Well, this was the legendary kitsune thief we were talking about.
Unfortunately, I forgot were I was heading and ended up slipping on wet mud and falling into the very hot spring I had bathed in with the girls. I let out an undignified 'Eep!' as I was suddenly submerged in hot water. I swam to the surface to meet Kurama's amused face.
"Don't say a word," I grumbled as I swam to the edge. Kurama simply chuckled and reached out to help me out of the water. I resisted the animalistic urge to shake myself dry. I sneezed, the air feeling much colder after my involuntary swim. Suddenly I found a jacket being held out in front of me.
"You'll catch cold if you run around in the middle of the night soaking wet." Kurama said in amusement. I pouted, but grabbed the jacket and wrapped myself in it. It smelled like Kurama, roses and rain.
"Now I'm all wet," I grumbled.
"Who's fault is that?" I wrinkled my nose at my companion.
"I didn't hear you protesting during our little jog," Kurama chuckled.
"We should head back," I nodded, and we started towards the village again, Kurama walking a little behind me.
I stopped a mile outside the village and turned to Kurama, with the intention of asking him something. Kurama, though appeared to be in thought, and knocked right into me. We landed in the dirt, him on top of me.
"Sorry!" "I apologize!"
We struggled away from each other, red faced (AN; Can't see why, I'd LOVE to be in her place! ^-^) I moved up, to try an wiggle out from under him, but was stopped by Kurama's lips brushing mine.
Everything seemed to stop for a second as I looked into Kurama's green eyes. I felt him move to catch my lips in a gentle kiss and did nothing to stop him.
I relaxed against him, wrapping one arm around his neck as I kept the other against his chest. His arms moved around my waist, and his tongue begged for entrance to my mouth. I gave it without hesitation.
We battled for dominance for a while, a fight I lost with no regret and the kiss continued. I was grateful youkai can hold their breath so much longer than humans. A week ago, I'd have passed out from lack of oxygen by now.
Eventually, though, we did have to part for air. We blinked at each other, red faced and panting. Kurama opened his mouth to say something...
BAM!!!!! I yelled out Kurama's name as he was suddenly thrown into a tree.
"WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!?!"
************************************************************************
Ganko smiled for the first time in days as he shook hands with the kitsune in front of him.
"Are you sure you want to do this, Sire? It is very dangerous..."
"You should know better than to waste your breath, my friend. I've got family to help." The other kitsune sighed.
"It is your decision, Sire."
"Glad you see it my way, now where exactly are they?"
************************************************************************
DV- Two cliffies in one chapter... *looks out towards readers innocently* was that too mean?
Everyone- *Nods vigorously*
DV- Well, yell at me in the reviews. As a matter of fact, the person that comes up with the most creative threat for the cliffie gets a cookie! ^-^ Any one who can guess the mystery creep that interrupted them get a bakery full of goodies. Brownies...*drools*
Kagome- Don't you fear for your life?
DV- Why would I do something as silly as that?
Everyone- -_-;
DING DONG!
DV- YAAAAAAAAAAAAYYY!!!! *throws door open* QUEENIE!!!!!!!!!!!
QFF- DV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *glomps*
DV- Can't... breathe...
Inu- THIS is the vixen's COUSIN?!
Yusuke- What is she?
QFF- Can't you tell?
Kagome- Well, her tail looks like it came from a horse...
Kurama- An uma youkai.
QFF- And the winner is- FOX BOY *suggestive voice* wanna get your prize?
DV- MIND OUT OF GUTTER, QUEENIE!!!!!!!!!
QFF- Hmph!
Miroku- *to QFF* Will you bear my child? *gropes QFF*
Miroku suddenly chained above pit of Jaws sized sharks, slowly being lowered down.
Kagome- Wow...
Sango- I didn't know uma youkai could do that!
QFF- *eye twitching* dirty... rotten... perverted...
DV- Sadly that all we have time for today.
QFF- WHAT?! But I just got here!
DV- Which is why I leave begging to the reviewers to you.
QFF- Review or I'll hunt all of you down, gut you alive and eat your inner organs.
DV- THAT IS NOT BEGGING, QUEENIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
QFF- I don't beg *evil smirk*