Kagome's Victory
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Before Hiei could berate his friend for taking advantage of the human girl, the fox struck. Hiei widened his ruby eyes at the attack and flitted away before the kitsune could connect a blow. Apparently the idiot was so worked up, he was rushing in blindly and striking wildly.
This behavior was a far cry from the Kurama he knew and the Youko who was so precise and skilled, Hiei was at a loss as to how to respond. He pulled his sword in reflex alone and regretted the action as a familiar rose appeared in his opponents clawed hand.
"Now face me!" the silver fox growled.
"Cease this stupidity!" Hiei snarled back.
Youko roared and transformed his whip to lash at the Jaganishi. Hiei dodged and made a desperate attempt to bring the demon to his senses by bringing the blunt side of his blade down on the silver head. Hiei had no desire to injure his friend, but Youko wasn't himself. It may be inevitable to have to bring the fox to his knees in order to stop this madness.
Hiei wrapped both hands around the hilt of his sword and tried to determine the fox's intentions. Perhaps then he could figure out how to diffuse the situation. How had Kurama lost control? What was causing him to act so strangely? He leapt deftly aside and narrowly missed the slash of the whip.
Kurama was fighting to regain control, but Youko was in a blind rage. He wanted both to see Hiei subdue the fox spirit and at the same time, he wanted Youko to succeed in ripping Hiei apart. But, it was his friend he was attacking! The situation was all wrong.
The whip swung around again, this time Hiei couldn't get out of its way. Most of the force of the blow was halted by a lucky block with his sword, but the remaining lash caught him across the shoulder. He took the blow without a sound and made a quick escape. Damn that fox, anyway! If he is determined to fight, so be it!
Hiei ripped off his headband and circled the fox spirit warily. He spun inside, around a clawed fist and made three shallow hits on the tall figure. He gritted his teeth and felt the whip pull a bloody furow across his back before he could turn again.
The scent of blood made Youko cry aloud in triumph. He raced again toward the demon in front of him and snarled in rage as the fire apparition vanished in a blur. He felt the sudden slashes over his arms as the other demon made use of his speed to make his own marks. Neither could back down now. Now it was personal.
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Kagome fell the rest of the way to the floor with a thump when the arms that had been supporting her disappeared, and was jolted back to the present. Did I...I DID! Oh, god...Kagome lay prone on her bed room floor, trying to make sense out of what had happened. My first real kiss...and I don't even know who he was!
She didn't count the time she almost killed Kurama. She didn't think it counted as a real shared moment due to Kurama's inability to breath and her own response being primarily embarrassment. Not that I'm not embarrassed now...
Kagome pulled herself off her bedroom floor. She could still feel both Hiei and the other demon's energy. A quick look out the window made her gasp. They were fighting, and it looked serious. "Oh, god!" she ran to the open window.
So far, her family had not been woken up so she refused to be the one to do so now. The fight, thank god, was eerily silent except for the sharp snap of the whip, the sound of Hiei's sword slicing threw the air, and the occasional snarl. Kagome threw a leg over the sill and grasped at the closest branch of her tree. She heard the silver demon laugh in triumph and she used her anger at their behavior, and her concern for Hiei, to lend her strength.
She reached the branch and scooted along its length to the thick trunk. She wrapped her arms around the rough pillar and sobbed. "Stop! Stop it!"
She dropped down to a lower branch and tried again. "Hiei, please!" Kagome was almost to the ground. Neither demon had made any sign to show they even knew she was there. "Damn it!" She landed on the stones of the courtyard around the shrine, and ran around the freshly made Inuyasha shaped flower bed. "Stop!"
Kagome couldn't believe that they were still ignoring her. How am I supposed to get the attention of two blood thirsty demons. Kagome paused. Do I really want the full attention of two blood thirsty demons?
She watched as two long thin ribbons of blood appeared over the silver demon's back. He retaliated, causing Hiei to temporarily lose the use of one arm. Hell yes, she'd interfere! Kagome saw the glint of red in their eyes and knew what that meant. They were fighting to kill.
Kagome refused to think anymore about it and streaked across the courtyard and right into the battle. She threw herself in between the warring demons and cringed, waiting for the sword or whip to fall on her.
It never came. Kagome stood between the two bloody bodies with no clue what she should do now. "Stop it! No more!"
Hiei ignored her and yelled at the silver fox instead. "What the hell is wrong with you!?"
Kagome believed that this was directed at her and glared at the fire apparition.
"You made her bleed!" Youko snarled back. His eyes kept flickering red, gold and green. Kagome jerked her head around to glare at the stranger.
"I did nothing of the sort!"
"I'll kill you!"
"Ha!"
"Shut up!" Kagome yelled. It got quiet. She marched up to the silvered demon, whoes ears were twitching in anger and surprise, and yanked the whip out of his startled hands and proceeded to slap him. Hard. It was the perfect slap, courtesy of all the practice Miroku gave her.
Then she turned to the equally startled koorime. Hiei's jagon glowed but she spared it no more than a glance. She snatched his sword from his blood slicked fingers and glared into his eyes, all three of them.
"Don't use me as an excuse to slit one another's throats," she snarled. She went back to the tree and with difficulty, climbed back up into it's lowest branches, grumbling the whole way up. "Stupid demons. Killing each other because I fell asleep at my desk...dumb thing to do...no right to kiss me...stupid sword...now I got blood on my new school uniform!...argh!"
She climbed back into her window, dragging the weapons behind her and glared back at the two silent figures. She pulled the window down with a sharp click and drew the drapes, hiding her from view.
Both felt a strange emptiness in the pit of their stomach as if they had just lost something very important. "My sword..." Hiei tried to convince himself, but couldn't help but hate the closed window.
"She slapped me!" Of all the injuries covering the fox, he was holding his cheek.
"Hn."
"I've never been slapped before!" Youko sounded incredulous. He looked at the demon in front of him. "Hey! Why didn't she slap you?"
"I didn't kiss her, baka."
Youko got a dreamy look on his face and let go of his slightly reddened cheek. "Good. I would really have to kill you if you had."
Hiei grimaced at his friend. "You are impossible."
Youko winked as if the deadly battle had never happened. He sat down right where he was and began to check and wash the wounds he could reach with his tongue.
Hiei occupied himself with tying his headband back in place and plotting the best way to retrieve his sword. It took forever to tie the damned knot with one arm hardly working.
Youko had finished tending his own injuries and was now approaching Hiei with a gleam in his golden eyes.
"Don't even think about it," Hiei eyed him warily.
"It would help."
"I'll take my chances with possible blood loss."
Youko grinned at him, fully intending to help heal the injuries that he had caused.
"What the hell happened to you anyway? You charged at me as if I had been torturing the girl."
"I could smell her blood..." Youko did not sound apologetic.
"That little cut sent you that far over the edge?" Hiei warily kept at least six feet of space between them. "It sounds like your interest in her is serious."
"Perhaps."
"I warned you before. Do not hurt her. Do not force me to finish this."
"Why does everyone think that I'm gonna hurt her!?" Youko suddenly exploded. "All I want is the chance to give her the exact opposite."
"And what of when you leave her? Don't you think that will hurt her?" Hiei retreated again as Youko advanced.
"If I claim her, then I won't leave her."
Hiei's crimson eyes locked with his. "You'd take her as your mate? A human girl? You don't know what you're saying!"
Youko growled a warning. "What I choose to do is no concern of yours."
"I told you before, fox, she is a friend. I don't take that bond lightly. Not with you. Not with her."
Youko sucked in a breath and gave up trying to catch the fire demon. Hiei wouldn't have appreciated his attentions anyway.
Damned right! And neither would I. The girl is one thing. I could never look Hiei in the eye again if you gave him a tongue bath! Shuuichi responded.
Youko did some quick imagining and didn't get as much pleasure out of it as he normally would have.
Ewww!
That part was still fun, of course. Somehow his longtime fascination with Hiei was quickly lost under the new, more intense attraction to Kagome. His thoughts were full of her. And his attachment to her rivaled his forced attachment to the human who's body he wore.
Hey! You mean you'd ditch me for her? Shuuichi teased.
In a heart beat.
You'll break my heart.
Since you're along for the ride, I guess you better get used to sharing me.
I could say the same.
What do you mean? Youko asked.
She may chose me over you, you know.
Keh! I'm stronger, better looking and-
-full of yourself. Shuuichi finished.
Neither of you is going to get her, a third, echoing voice cut in.
What!?
Youko looked at Hiei carefully.
Baka, I'm in here too. It seems we really are three conscious beings now. I'm the overlapped versions of you both. And since I'm the best of both of you...
Shit!
Youko allowed Kurama to take over and the silver hair faded into the deep garnet and his eyes became the emerald green.
You always spoil my fun, Yuoko grumbled.
Kurama's throaty chuckle grabbed Hiei's attention. He saw his friends altered appearance and sighed in relief. Familiar green eyes sparkled at him under the crimson locks of hair.
"Need assistance?"
Hiei made sure those eyes stayed green before allowing Kurama to approach. "Hn."
"I apologize. These things should not have happened."
"Hn."
"You are not going to forgive me, are you?"
"You didn't do this. That stupid fox..."
Kurama looked at his friend, surprise evident on his face.
"Keep him on a shorter leash, Kurama."
"I do my best, Hiei."
"Hn. You know he intends to mate with the girl?"
"I know."
"Will you let him?"
"I..."
"You'd be a fool."
"To let him-or to let myself? We are still one person."
"Hn. Take it how you want to." Hiei tested the bandages and flexed his fingers. "Either way, you're still a fool."
"So I should just forget her?"
Hiei gave him the how-stupid-can-you-be-look. "That would be an even bigger mistake." Hiei got that sullen look back on his face. "Deal with your own issues if you want to be fair to her. Don't make the assumption that she'll share you...even with yourself."
Kurama's intent and focussd look wasnot lost on the fire apparition. "What of you, Hiei? What holds you to her?"
"I've already said. She's a friend."
"No more?"
"Jealous, are you?"
"Very."
Hiei was surprised that Kurama could admit this so openly. "I have no feelings for her like that." he assured the tense red-head. Kurama visibly relaxed. "She is too much like Yukina."
"No. There is no other like her," Kurama corrected his friend.
"Hn."
They both looked up at the closed and hidden window. "We really messed up, didn't we?"
"Speak for yourselves. I was merely defending myself." Hiei was truly disturbed by the loss of a stupid, open, welcoming window. It was dumb, but it made him feel more alone then he had previously felt.
"I don't think she saw it that way. That was your sword she hauled away."
"Hn." Suddenly Hiei had another thought and straightened. "She didn't have a clue who you were, did she?" he accused.
Kurama had the nerve to turn away slightly before answering. "No, she didn't."
"No wonder she slapped you."
Kurama sighed and fingered the remains of his shirt front. "She slapped Youko."
"What ever. I'm sure you enjoyed every minute of it."
Kurama felt his face heat and tried to think of some way to change the subject. Hiei would have none of that, though.
"You've got some tough competition."
"I know."
"The dog-"
"No, Boton's taken care of that."
"Boton!?....hn."
"So you see, my worst enemy is me."
"Baka."
"No one ever said love was simple."
"Love, huh?"
"..."
"This is foolisher then I thought."
"More foolish."
"What?"
It's more foolish, not foolisher."
"What does it matter?"
"None, if you don't mind sounding like Kuwabara."
Hiei considered frying the red head. Kurama felt the edges of his clothing smoulder and quickly changed the course of the discussion.
"So you adopted Kagome as another sister? You don't even associate with the one you have."
"Shut your mouth, Kurama. Unless you have a death wish."
"I'm just curious why you took to a human girl so quickly. It's really not like you."
Hiei snorted in disgust, but refused to answer. He prepared to leave, deciding to collect his sword when the girl was in a better humor, and he wasn't such a mess. "You better apologize to her," he said and vanished.
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Phew! This one was longer then usual. But, what do you think? I couldn't decide if I like this sequence or not...I'm still undecided. It may not make the final cut of the story when I edit it if it is not received well, so tell me your thoughts! I need the support! And the criticism if it's for the work and not a personal opinion about someone else's values!
I broke 100 reviews! Yeah!
Thanks to my reviewers!
Shinigami Clara
Artemis the Goddess
Helen
Elyndewen Startree-sorry about the multi chapter update thing, but everyone seems to enjoy them...let me know if it gets messed up again this time and I'll try to figure something out...
Diaphanous-as always you inspire me to want to keep writing!
Dark Topaz
Ai Higeki
watergoddesskasey-was that a good "God!" or a bad "God!"
DemonLady1
Inu Youkai-Hime-did you get my email?
TYDYE girl
hiei is mine forever- ah, yeah I like squirrels. We feed the ones in the back yard peanut butter sandwiches...they love 'em!
Ladyofthedragons1
Gryphnwng-sorry, Hiei isn't ready for a romantic love yet! Mostly I don't like bringing in too many characters and I already have a lot! Two series worth! Whew! And I couldn't think of who to pair him up with that would work well...and my other Hiei/Kag fic in my head prevents me from going in-depth with his characters romantic side (!) In this fic! When I started this idea, believe me, it was a challenge to resist over kill and pairing him up with someone too!
Dee-Chan- thank you for all 28 reviews! Lol...And how was that for a bit more action? It goes either way!
Hinoke-heating up? I've only just got started! Mwwhhahahhahahaha!
Lemmings-please- I'm so happy that you think that I've kept the characters close to their true nature! That is tough to do and I really struggled! (Hence the long story)
Laloba-I have already read your stories! It was before I actually joined up and began to write myself and could review...what kinda cookie?
Star96
andrea10
Kuro Eien Hayabusa
Mistress-Pen
ixi-I have no idea what that meant...but thanks?
Kagome-chan14
That is the most reviews I've had at one time! Wow! Thank you everyone for taking the time to let me know you like (or don't like) the story!
Sylvannastar