Title: Family Problems
Chapter: 2

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho or Inuyasha.

Questions:

How often do you plan on updating?
Past this chapter? Not enough for all of you. I had all these chapters written before I put it out, I just spaced them out a bit. Past this, I have nothing written so far.

This is going to end in heartache, isn't it?
The story or the chapter? Either way, there will be lots of heartache. I'm debating on two endings of this one of them - Yes. Much heartache on all sides and unhappiness. The other one, lots of heartache but a happy ending with children who eat oden for breakfast, pocky for lunch, and ramen for dinner. Or the other way around, depending on which child it is. For that matter, there's a third possibility that the children could happen but the couples will stay apart and I'll make a sequel for them to get together in. That didn't answer the question did it?

Can Genkai teach her?
A bit, but more on centering herself than her actual powers. I'm working on my own theory that spirit powers and miko purifying powers are not the same.

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Chapter 2 – The Past

Yusuke didn't risk a glance back at the pair following him as he walked hurriedly back to the shrine. He wanted to take time out to sulk about their behavior, but he did deserve it and he with the feel of her lips still tingling on his skin and in his brain, he would have ended up day dreaming instead. He had found them perhaps a mile away, Keiko sobbing into Kurama's available chest like her heart was broken. Which, Yusuke had to admit, it might be. Though he still thought Keiko and Kurama went to each other a bit too easily. If they did, he couldn't really complain now.

He hesitated at the top step of Genkai's shrine, puzzling over the feeling he was getting. His eyes narrowed as he took the last step, surveying the place. "Something's wrong," he muttered to himself. Kurama stepped up also, and the animosity about Keiko and Kagome was forgotten as the two immediately stiffened their defenses.

"Kurama? Yusuke?" Keiko asked in confusion. They said nothing and she trotted along at their heels. When they rounded the corner to the back of the house, they were met with a sight to behold. The silver haired and golden eyed half demon was standing up close in front of Kagome. And his head was tilted and moving closer. When she made no move to go backwards, Yusuke's breath caught in his throat and wholly irrational anger swept through him.

The hanyou's lips never touched her because of a red whirl that moved between them. When it stopped the hanyou had been thrown a few feet back, falling onto his back as he landed. He looked up with wide eyes. "Shippo?"

"Inuyasha," Shippo confirmed coldly. "Leave her alone."

And Kagome stood there still, catching her breath. What was she doing? First she kissed Keiko's boyfriend without thinking of the consequences, and then Inuyasha had come. He'd tried to kiss her. Kagome felt like she was drowning in emotions. The main one confusion.

"What? Like hell. Five hundred years-"

"And you've never tried to find out where she would be born. Never watched her grow, get hurt, never watched her come back crying out of the well because of you. You've hurt her enough for one life time, Inuyasha." Shippo was sneering at the fallen hanyou, but he desperately wanted to turn around and comfort Kagome. She was shaking, but not crying. She knew Inuyasha would smell it and go ballistic if she cried. Finally, Botan moved behind Shippo to see if the girl was all right.

She was met with a look she'd never seen on Kagome. Even in her panicked rage she had struggled, done everything she could to get what she wanted. Now, she looked... broken. Botan's eyes widened and she quickly led the girl over to the door. She managed to get her near enough to the door that Yukina saw them coming before Kagome tugged her hand out and fell to the ground, curling her knees up to her chest. The girls flanked her as she shook like a leaf.

"This can't be happening. How is he even still alive?" Kagome whispered to them desperately. Everyone was slowly gathering around.

"Because I'm a hanyou, that's why! And you," Inuyasha whirled on Shippo, "You'll let her kiss him, but won't let me kiss her?"

"It's not a matter of letting. If I thought anything like this would have happened today, I would have locked her in her room and had Kurama come over and guard the window while I guarded the door. Besides, she kissed him, not the other way around. And she doesn't really think right when you're around dog-breath." Shippo's claws were itching to dig into Inuyasha, to tear out the flesh of this threat to his mother, but he quelled the instinct, staring with a cold and empty expression that he had learned from the best at Inuyasha.

"She's mine! I've only ever wanted two girls as mates, and I'll have them both! Damn it, how can I build a pack if you won't let me have my chosen mates?" The air seemed to still as Shippo stared at Inuyasha in horror. Was he really that cruel? Kagome felt a bit of her spirit return as those words jarred some of her anger back into her. Her eyes caught onto something around his neck and she instantly decided to test something.

"Inuyasha," Kagome called softly. Both of the fighting canines focused their attention on her and Inuyasha looked into her eyes. She would have none of the soft smirks or tender smiles this time however. "Sit boy."

A stunned silence came after the slam, until Inuyasha spoke again. "Damn it bitch, what was that for?"

Shippo groaned as all the passion and tenderness and lust that had filled the air the past few minutes were washed away in the comfortable anger that Inuyasha and Kagome were used to stirring in each other. "Sit boy! Sit, sit, sit, and sit! What was that for? A pack? Me and her? Like hell! You left me, sent me away. You utter bastard, how dare you even think I'd consider you like that again!"

"Keh, you seemed like you were going to just a minute ago." Instantly Inuyasha realized this was the wrong thing to say. For some reason, he almost felt like grinning at the way she went pale, then flushed.

"Oooh! Sit, sit, sit, sit, and sit! Automatic response, Inuyasha! I missed you, that's all!" And friends who had loved and lusted seemed to wash away most of the junk covering their friendship as Inuyasha said something muffled into the dirt.

"What was that?" Kagome asked, her temper calming after the sits. It made her feel remarkably better. Her emotions seemed to have gone the whole spectrum over the last couple of months, and now suddenly they were back to normal? With a kiss to and from Yusuke and a few sits for Inuyasha? She definitely had problems.

"I said, "Could've fooled me," You sort of just stared at me, then sobbed, then started sitting me. Fucking hell, I don't know where your brain is, Kagome." Inuyasha glared at her, and was confused when Kagome didn't yell back, but seemed to be studying him. He realized he must look so old to her now, looking more like middle to late twenties than the same age as her.

"I did miss you, Inuyasha. It hurt when you sent me away. I loved you. I promised to stay by your side and you didn't let me. It hurt," Kagome whispered softly. Shippo had backed off and was watching them, a smile tugging at his face as they stared at each other.

Yeah. Me too. All of it. It hurt, and I loved, and until just a few damn moments ago, I didn't even know that I..." Inuyasha trailed off and let out a bark of hollow laughter.

"That it was over. I know. When you first appeared, I didn't even have to time to tell what I felt. You were there, I was here, and your eyes were as golden and passionate as I remembered, and all I could do was stare. I didn't know what to do. It's probably what I tried to run before. I didn't want to know what I felt. I think it's good though. That we're not. We can...just be friends again. And maybe me...and Kikyou. Maybe we can talk to each other without all the tension." Kagome looked up timidly for approval, but Inuyasha was looking away too.

The rest of the group was silent as the two stared at the ground. Then Kagome spoke again. "Why did you say you wanted me as your mate?"

"It'd keep you away from someone else, wouldn't it? And you were mine before anyone else. Maybe not physically, but you have always been mine to protect. It's a logical step up from that," Inuyasha said, actually blushing. Then they both glanced over as another form shifted from the forest and Inuyasha looked guilty. Kagome looked surprised, and a bit wary of the new woman.

"I am pleased to see you in such good physical health, Kagome," Kikyou said in her normal smooth and rich tones. For once, Kagome didn't feel the twinge of jealousy she usually did upon seeing the human miko. Or whatever she was now. A miko yes, but the jewel might have made her more. Kagome was unsure of what her look-alike was now.

"Kikyou. Nice to see you to," Kagome said politely, if a bit awkwardly.

"Excuse me. But exactly how do you all know Kagome?" Kurama asked coldly, his green eyes having turned a blazing gold as his anger grew. What was his cousin up to? What danger was she putting herself in? Why did that woman look like her? And why were both of the women ignoring him?

"We met her 500 years ago. Who are you?" Inuyasha asked bluntly. Kurama stiffened and gold met gold. "I am her cousin."

"Is it safe?" Kikyou asked while the redheaded boy and Inuyasha started glaring at each other.

"Is what safe?" Yusuke asked in exasperation from the sidelines. Both of them ignored him and Kagome nodded solemnly.

"It is safe, Kikyou. It will be safe until the day I die." Kagome's smile turned a bit bitter. She knew what being the jewel's Guardian meant. Eventually demons would start coming, and they would find her. But she wouldn't allow the jewel to be in their hands, even if it cost her life.

"Don't," Kikyou said sharply. Kagome eyed her.

"Don't what?"

"Die. It's not as important as your life, Kagome." Inuyasha had stopped glaring as shock went through him. Then Kagome smiled, but it was the fake one that he had seen too often.

"My life isn't that important Kikyou. The world will still continue as it is if I die. It may not if the jewel falls into the hands of someone else." Inuyasha stared at them and shuddered. They were being so serious. That was normal for Kikyou, but even when she was mad Kagome forgave easily and attempted to forget. Now, she wasn't acting at all like herself. Inuyasha felt the spirit detectives staring at the girls, wondering what was wrong with them.

"Oh? The jewel can always be retrieved. There are always more warriors. But there is only one you Kagome. How many people will grieve when you die? What will happen to all of them? Your cousin? Shippo? These two girls you've bonded with? More than you even bonded with Sango. Are you really going to leave them all?" Kikyou's eyes were cold, but Kagome had caught something else, and her heart pounded in her chest.

"Oh Kami-sama. That's why you came. There's something new, isn't there?" Inuyasha flinched in the corner of her vision, and Kagome had to use all her self-control not to let out a cry right there. She'd made enough scenes for today.

"Answer my question, Guardian. Which is more important, your friends or your duty?" Kikyou asked sharply.

"My friends of course," Kagome said without hesitation, but what she continued to say stopped the relief from flowing within Kikyou and Inuyasha. "Which is exactly why I must fulfill my duty and protect the jewel with my life if necessary."

"Kagome!" Inuyasha spoke sharply, and the growl vibrating through his chest was being echoed by an equally angry, though not nearly as shocked, Shippo.

"I think that's enough for now, mikos," Shippo said coolly. And Kagome flinched at the tone. He had never addressed her like that, never just as "miko". It hurt.

"Perhaps it is. Since my fellow miko seems as attached to her duty as I was to mine. And we all know where that got me." Kikyou didn't move, despite her words, and Kagome understood what they were trying to do. It did work in a way. It also made her angry. She wasn't just something to be manipulated into doing what they thought was best for her.

"That's enough," Kagome bit off sharply.

"Is it now?" Kikyou asked. Then she was knocked backwards onto her back and found Kagome staring at her then her closed fist in shock. She winced as all three of her feudal friends stared at her.

There was silence until Kagome sighed and looked up at the sky, clasping her hands together behind her back. "Not like I'm allowed to put myself in danger anyway, right kitsunes?"

"Right!" came the total agreement from her son and cousin. In an instant the two had flashed each other knowing looks. Yusuke cleared his throat again, this time attempting the more polite approach. "Excuse me, but what exactly is Kagome protecting?"

"The Shikon no Tama," Kagome said softly, but it caused Kurama to stiffen anyway, and Hiei's eyes widened marginally. Yusuke looked around in confusion and Botan sighed, glancing at Kagome for permission before beginning.

"A long time ago, there was a miko named Midoriko who was the greatest menace against evil demons of her kind. One time, many demons banded together to get rid of her. No one witnessed the battle, so it's hard to say exactly what happened, but suffice it to say the Shikon no Tama came out of that battle. It came from Midoriko and it is probably one of the most powerful objects to ever exist. For a demon, its power makes them go crazy, and in turn taints the jewel. Miko's can purify it, the stronger the miko the better. It can also grant a wish, and an unselfish wish will purify it. Kikyou was its first Guardian about 550 years ago, then she was killed, and the Shikon no Tama was burned with her and later was Kagome's responsibility. She was her reincarnation." Botan knew there were quite a few details she was leaving out, but Yusuke already looked like that information was a bit much.

"But...she's alive now, isn't she?" Yusuke asked in confusions, then adding, "How did it come to be with Kagome if it was burnt? And where is it?"

"It's around my neck at the moment," Kagome said dryly. Kurama swung his head towards her in alarm.

"Kagome, isn't that a bit dangerous?" Kurama asked, trying to keep calm. If his cousin got angry, she wouldn't listen to what anyone said.

"It's more dangerous to leave it lying around where it could be stolen," Kagome said simply.

"Which comes to why we are here in a way," Kikyou said, noticing that Kagome was avoiding telling the boys how the Shikon no Tama had come to her.

"Then there is something new?" Kagome questioned, wondering at her own sanity when a thrill ran through her. She was even trying to hide a grin. So was Shippo. And Inuyasha. Kagome blinked as Kikyou smiled.

"There is." Kagome actually did grin now, forgetting the earlier speech. Thank kami! She'd finally be able to get out of here. And kick some demon butt.

Shippo chuckled, then looked at the others. "So, when are the other's getting here? I know Kagura wouldn't miss this at least."

"Kagura? She got her heart then, before we destroyed Naraku?" Kagome was fairly giddy. And her cousin looked like he was a bit too calm. And a bit confused. She felt a bit sorry for him, but she needed this.

"She did. Will we have any others joining us, then? Because I'm sure there are two who are as eager as you Kagome, even if they have less experience." Kikyou was trying not to look at the two girls to one side, instead covertly studying the boys and other girl behind Kagome. They all looked like they were dealing with too much right now. Even Kagome and Shippo did, but they would catch up much more quickly.

"I will come," Yukina announced, followed and instant later by Botan's, "I'm coming!"

That seemed to jerk all the boys out of it, and soon three of the boys and Keiko had turned on them, arguing with them. Obviously whatever they were talking about was dangerous and they could let the girls go. Hiei glared a lot. Kurama ignored them and looked at Kagome.

"How did you get the Shikon no Tama, Kagome?" her cousin asked. She gulped, but answered him just as quietly as he had questioned her. "It was inside of me. On my fifteenth birthday a demon ripped it out of my side."

Kurama sighed heavily and nodded. "I see." Then it seemed to sink in and he shuddered. "Fifteen years, one of the most powerful objects created was inside of you? I'm surprised you haven't purified every demon within a mile in one of your fits."

"I don't have fits," Kagome said with a scowl. Kurama smiled gently and pulled her towards him, hugging her gently. "Be careful, Kagome."

"Don't worry about me, Kurama. I'll see you later, ok? Can you distract the boys' a-and Keiko from Botan and Yukina? I don't want them in danger, but if Kikyou thinks they would be all right, then they probably will be." Kagome faltered before she tried to say Keiko, remembering the pain she had caused the girl. It would be a long time before she'd be able to look Yusuke Urameshi or Keiko Yukimura in the face again. Especially Yusuke, at least until the memory of the kiss had faded.

"I will try. Go to the front of the shrine and I'll see what I can do." For some reason, Kurama's eyes sparkled with mischief, and longing. He risked a glance at Keiko and Kagome's eyes widened. She hesitated, then gave in when he gave her a mock glare.

"All right, but make sure she accepts before you do. I don't want to come home and find out the guy I like killed my cousins while I was gone." Kurama's eyes lost all mirth and turned serious as he looked at her.

"You really do like him then, it wasn't just to get away?"

"I do. I decided to kill two birds with one stone. Get away and see what it felt like. I wasn't really thinking. I didn't think he'd..." She trailed off, not knowing how to say that she hadn't thought he would ever want to kiss her of his own free will instead of just respond to her own kiss.

"I know. I understand. Go, Kagome. I don't want you to do this, but anything I say against it will make you more reckless. Just be careful." At her quick nod, he released her and started over to the arguing mass of people. Kagome signaled to the others and the three quickly followed her as she slipped around the shrine. She nodded to Yukina and Botan and indicated with her head that they'd be out front.

A couple of minutes later, a shocked and surprised pair met them, though Yukina seemed to be giggling. "Kurama kissed her."

Kagome lifted an eyebrow at Yukina and then giggled with her. "I thought he would. When he said he created a distraction, he was looking at her in a certain way. She kiss him back?"

"Oh yeah. Yusuke's struggling between flying into a rage and getting out of there to find something besides your cousin to punch," Botan said, trying not to grin as she remembered Yusuke's face.

"Why can't the boys deal with whatever this is anyway?" Botan asked Kikyou. The six of them began to walk as Kikyou shook her head, never breaking stride as she spoke, looking directly ahead.

"The Spirit Detectives are meant to protect Ningenkai from demons. This has to do with the jewel. If we thought we could do it without Kagome and Shippo, we wouldn't put her and the jewel in such danger. But someone is creating an army to fight with, and they are going to summon the Guardian and the jewel. We, even with our allies, don't have enough power to stop that. But, with all of us, plus you two, Shippo, and Kagome with her power backed by the jewel, we may be able to eliminate the demon and it's army before it starts invading," Kikyou explained.

"But, if they invade Ningenkai-" Botan began.

"Not Ningenkai. They want to invade all the other lands of the Makai, and with the help of the jewel, they can not only do this, but keep on ruling. You, with your oar, would make an excellent scout. Yukina, your ice powers can be useful, but we would like you to stay in the back of the group when we are all together and alternate between helping with your ice and using your healing powers. This is the sort of thing we try to do. We attempt to keep peace in the Makai." Kikyou was startled to see Botan's eyes widen; though the former undead didn't show it at all.

"You're the mysterious group we use to hear reports of! Humans sometimes, who lived in Makai with you, a wind demon or two, a couple of wolf demons, and a fire-cat. Some even said Sesshoumaru himself joined in. We all though you were on big rumor." Botan said in surprise. Both Shippo and Kagome looked at Inuyasha and Kikyou in surprise. They shrugged, but a smile tugged at Kikyou's lips.

"We are not. Now, we are almost at the place we entered. You can create a portal, correct?"

"Right," and Botan did as directed and the six stepped through the new portal.

At Genkai's shrine, the shouting had turned down to shock, and Keiko was staring in between the glaring and desperately unhappy and confused Yusuke, and Kurama, who looked like serenity incarnate if not for the slightly nervous twitching his hand was making. Funny, she'd never noticed that she noticed that before.

Kuwabara had started yelling at Kurama for kissing "Yusuke's girl" and Hiei was glaring at both Yusuke and Kurama. Genkai had also come out and joined in with comments. Yusuke backed off a bit for a bit, trying to figure out exactly what was happening today. He looked around to glare at the hanyou who he had suddenly decided to blame and found he wasn't there. In fact, no one was there.

"Kurama," Yusuke said calmly as he looked about the space where six people had somehow disappeared unnoticed from. Damn kitsune had found an awfully good distraction.

"Yes, Yusuke?" Kurama asked, wondering how long it would take before the detective snapped and began fighting him. He would fight back of course. Besides, he had kissed a girl he wasn't supposed to today too; a fight now would be pure hypocrisy. Especially since Keiko had had no ulterior motives when she kissed him after he drew away. He wondered briefly if this kind of insanity ran in the family.

"Where is your cousin?" Yusuke asked, turning around to see Kurama tense then force himself to relax, his tone staying perfectly neutral. "Is she gone? I hadn't noticed."

Keiko's eyes grew wide, and then she closed them, keeping her tears at bay. He'd used her to get his stupid cousin who'd kissed her boyfriend (ex-boyfriend?) out of here. How dare he!

"No, I used the distraction as a reason to kiss you, not the kiss as a means of distraction. What was it? Ah yes, 'kill two birds with one stone'." Kurama watched her eyes widened as she realized she'd spoken out loud, even if she had mumbled.

"Damn it Kurama, who uses a kiss as a distraction, or a distraction as a reason to kiss someone?" Yusuke realized the stupidity of that question the instant Kurama began to smile.

"Kagome does. It was a splendid idea, and I'm sure she could have thought of a dozen other ideas, just as I could just then. Unfortunately, she tends not to think much at all, and I-" Kurama stopped, then went on thoughtfully, "I didn't want to do anything different."

"Stupidity runs in the family. Kagome did all sorts of strange and utterly stupid, but very brave things when she was hunting shards. They're not here any more then?" A voice from the shadows asked.

"Who wants to know?" Yusuke asked challengingly. A familiar voice answered him.

"Relax, Yusuke. Kagura won't do your girl no harm. Nor will I and Touya." Jin came out of the woods, followed by Touya and a red eyed woman with a fan held in one hand.

"She has left, Jin. Come on, we have no time to talk to your friends. We need to get to the meeting." Kagura glared at the two men following her as they exchanged exasperated glances.

"Right then. Let's go Touya," Jin said under the glare as Yusuke managed to gather his wits and shout, "Hey! Kagome's not my girl!"

They all looked on in surprise and Touya suddenly looked interested. "Truly? It was a simple mistake? Interesting. There is no one who holds her heart? She is available to be courted?"

"You seem a bit overly interested," Kurama said suspiciously. Touya let a small smile grace his lips, then looked up at the two wind demons. "Weren't we going somewhere?"

Yusuke scowled as the three went off and met Kurama's amused stare. "What?"

"Do you think Touya would make a good match for Kagome?" Kurama asked in response. Yusuke froze and didn't notice the cunning look in Kurama's eyes. "No! He wouldn't be! He's a damn demon, for one thing-"

"So have all of the boys who she's even been mildly serious about I hear," Kurama said, watching with interest as Yusuke's fury grew. Keiko was struggling between anger at Yusuke and delight that she might be able to be with Kurama if Yusuke kept going on this way.

"Fucking hell, Kurama! She just kissed me, didn't she? Are you saying she was playing with me?" For some reason that thought disturbed Yusuke more than anything else did.

"No, but apparently you don't want her, so I was simply asking your opinion," Kurama stated.

"Of course I want her, I've liked her since I met-" Yusuke stopped and realized everybody, even Keiko, was watching him with amusement written on their faces. Though Keiko still looked hurt. Apparently Kurama's kiss had magical healing properties though, since Keiko seemed a lot happier than she had earlier.

"Maybe you should have said something to her then, instead of just kissing her," Kurama said dryly.

"I wouldn't say 'just kissing'," Yusuke muttered, then added, "When should I have said something? While that silver haired demon was trying to kiss her, while I was trying to get you two, or while she was acting like she was suicidal. Or maybe when everyone began yelling at each other!"

"By the look in Touya's eyes, you might have to work quickly when she comes back if you want to attempt to be with my cousin, Yusuke. And I mean a real relationship. I want more than just you two making out whenever you see each other." Kurama's calm smile belied the dangerous tone hidden beneath his words.

"Hey, how do you even know she wants to be with me? She could go kissing everyone for all-" Yusuke decided to stop as Kurama's eyes flashed gold. "Right, never mind. I'll get right on that when she gets back."

Yusuke shuddered slightly as Kurama smiled again and walked away. Kurama was ruthless when it came to his family, and no matter how strong he was, Yusuke didn't want to be on the wrong side of Kurama when his strategic brain started working on the best ways to hurt people in the longest amount of time. The death seed went through Yusuke's mind and the spirit detective went home that night glaring vengefully at every tree.

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More reviews! More I say! Mwuahaha! Mmm...puppy! Cuddle! What was I saying again? Oh! Go follow the link in my bio to my Yusuke/Kagome yahoo group. And a link from there to Rose's yahoo group.