Disclaimer: Pointless, pointless, pointless, pointless
Stay away from them.
"Stay away from them, stay away from them, and stay away from them," Kagome mumbled.
It's a rather cool mantra now that Kagome thought about it and very effective. For she indeed stay away from them, away from Minamino Shuuchi and his friends and hid from the boy who was staring at her with so much concentration it really isn't even funny any more. She ignored their looks during the afternoon classes and resumed catching up with her schoolwork, memories of what lays in the past re-surfing within her vision.
Inuyasha was rather adamant about forcing her not to worry about schoolwork and concentrate more on collecting the shards of Shikon jewel. But of course, he always had to deal with it the hard way.
Osawari.
Kagome giggled, remembering the aftermaths of that single word that caused despair on the hanyou. Although she had no qualms about his health after articulating the word, she was concern as to why this wasn't affecting his sanity. Nonetheless, it was proved useful as it did help her get home when she desperately needs to.
Like stocking up on ramens and full supplies of pockys of different flavors.
To make sure that smile on Shippou's face stay.
Making deals with Miroku so that –
"Ms. Higurashi!"
Kagome jumped and blinked. She looked up and noticed that her math teacher was glaring at her in such away she wished that her grandfather made up some excuse and did not show up today.
Chicken pox.
Malaria.
She really didn't care as long as she get to stay home.
"Ummm…hi?" she offered weakly, her classmates giggled at her response and she noticed that Shuuchi's lips threatened to twitch into a smile. Her cheeks colored slightly.
The teacher glared, "Please Ms. Higurashi, pay attention, unless by some sort of unfortunate case that you happened to have some sort of ear infection that you can't hear properly."
'Whoa, I would never have thought of that', Kagome reflected but wincing at his words. Okay so they have heard about her million cases of contracted diseases. But that's my cue.
She then remembered what she did during lunch and her cheeks colored a darker shade. I really can't believe I had the guts to kiss the most popular guy in this school...he even has his own fan club.
Maybe it wasn't such a good idea with kissing him…that would in turn hint that I do have an interest in him and that is not the impression I wanted to make. It was a distraction.
"Umm…yeah…I'm not feeling better…may I be excuse? Uhh…sir?" questioned Kagome. The teacher sniffed slightly, his eyes burrowed in utmost suspicion.
"Fine, get out of here Ms. Higurashi and please next time that you feel like passing your math, which I assure you, you are not so pay attention," said the teacher, his tone dripping with sarcasm. The class sniggered.
"I err thank you sir," Kagome bowed, quickly removing her materials off her desk and rapidly stuffed them in her bag, "hopefully I'll be feeling much more better tomorrow."
"Indeed," was the reply.
Glancing one last look at Minamino Shuuchi, whose lips quirked with so much amusement. Kagome practically ran out of the room, feeling the jewel draining her energy again.
What is it about Kurama-san that you find so appealing about Shikon?
She closed her eyes, her feet slowed down and Kagome found herself standing still. She lifted her hand and placed it over her heart.
What's so special about Kurama? Why do you react to him so?/p>
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
Why do you question when you already know the answer to?
Kagome sighed, letting her hand fall off to the side, "you are most definitely avoiding the question Shikon no Tama and for that I have to hate you."
She let her feet dragged her outside the school, feeling dispirited and at loss as to how to deal with Shuuchi.
He…
He was something that's for sure.
Sometimes it hurt to feel. She's losing too much. She let him win in the end. Kagome didn't know just how long before she falls under his bidding, to let him control her. To give him something that he always wanted.
No, not the Shikon jewel anymore.
Not anymore.
It was a given that her previous self, Kikyou, was powerful. Possibly one of the most powerful miko to ever existed in the Warring States. Yet, in the end, she was still a living corpse with not soul.
But she…
Kagome closed her eyes tightly, standing still once again outside the school grounds. Blocking out all her senses as she felt the eyes of the one man that promised to watch her.
Always.
She was powerful.
He was her opposite.
He was Naraku.
And he was playing with her.
Inuyasha…I don't think I can continue being happy anymore…
Miroku…
Sango…
My dear Shippou…
I hope you're happy…
Wherever you are…
It's the least I can do…
Please forgive me…
~
"Mom! I'm home!"
Kagome absentmindedly tossed her bag on the side and removed her shoes. Mrs. Higurashi peeked out from the kitchen beaming at her daughter.
"You're home early, did you get an ear infection?"
Kagome had the grace to blush, "how did you err…know about that?"
"The school was kind enough to inform me!" chirped Mrs. Higurashi and returned back to the kitchen and resume her work.
Kagome followed her mother to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator in search for food.
"Sorry about that…I just wasn't feeling to well and focused enough to go to school."
Yumi Higurashi frowned thoughtfully at her daughter, her mind automatically concluding her fears.
"Did the jewel started hurting again?" she quietly questioned. Kagome grimaced and nodded apologetically.
"It didn't hurt as much as before, it just drained my energy, but I'm fine," Kagome hesitated, "but mom…"
Yumi waited expectantly, letting her daughter gather her thoughts before she blurts them out. Even if she was in a position in which she couldn't do anything but watch her daughter suffer, she would always be there whenever she needs her.
"The jewel always drained my energy whenever I'm near this boy," Kagome said.
"What's his name?"
"Shuuchi. Minamino Shuuchi," said Kagome with much conviction.
Curiously, "what does he look like?"
Kagome started licking the spoon in which some globule of her ice cream resided, "well…he has long red hair, green eyes, really tall he's practically as tall as Inuyasha, nice smile but I swear to god if I didn't know any better that he's trying to hit on me. I – " Kagome paused and realized what she's been doing.
Yumi hid a smile and contemplated at the newfound information that she's been given.
"It's…it's not like I like him or anything," Kagome hastily informed her mother. She felt herself groan. I'm in so much denial. But really, do I like him? I mean, I don't even know him yet? What is it about him that makes me feel…dizzy? "I mean, I've only conversed with him for a few minutes and it was a stupid conversation."
Her mother chuckled, "relax Kagome, this is not an interrogation. I'm merely curious as to who is this Shuuchi person. He sounds delicious and gorgeous."
"Mom," said Kagome flatly, "that's just gross." Shoving a large chunk of her favorite flavor ice cream in her mouth.
"I know…but hey, we all deserved to be disgusting at one point or another."
Kagome was tempted to roll her eyes. Her mother was a bit silly if not enthusiastic.
~
It was night.
The air was crisp with cool wind, rafting slowly upwards. The wind was picking up, clouds were gathering quickly and the crescent moon shone brightly, illuminating soft rays of silver light. Dancing shadows flitted from darkness to darkness and the street lamps flickered repeatedly.
One thing for sure, Hiei wasn't going anywhere. Or at least, he wasn't going anywhere where she isn't. But his senses weren't reacting right and he felt puzzled, his head was prickling slightly, his muscles taut.
Get ready…something's coming.
He also felt more drawn to the girl more than he could ever understand. He wanted to find more about her; her favourite food, her favourite color…it was strange. A large portion of him doesn't want to, but the rest of him does.
Hiei shook his head. There was definitely something wrong.
The girl, Kagome Higurashi was getting dressed in the bathroom and later did he realized that she was going outside. Sporting black jeans, black turtleneck, black gloves and a blue jacket, Hiei mused that she maybe going undercover.
Koenma was right though, there was something the Higurashi girl that has knowledge of the spirit world and is aware of youkai existing. How, he was here to find out and report anything that could shatter the spirit world's barrier from the human world. His suspicion was confirmed early this day when she could point out his location when barely anybody can detect him unless he wanted to much to his friends' amusement.
A human who could sense his aura when Yusuke or Kuwabara can't was simply impossible. She either has to be a very powerful human or… she's something else altogether. She was good in covering her tracks if they weren't able to detect her since the beginning and that's what worried Koenma.
The girl paused by the door and glanced back to her family, looking at her with worried concern. The girl's brother was biting his lips, his hands clenched and the grandfather was looking at her stiffly. Her mother on the other hand was smiling, an encouraging smile which made Hiei jealous. He could see the love they had for each other and that they share no secrets.
So the family knows something about her daughter as well.
She promptly said goodbye, a cheerful smile on her features, hugging each of her family member as if this was a goodbye forever.
"Don't worry guys – mom, Souta and grandfather. I'll stay alive, might get hurt but still very much alive. I just need to scout for awhile just in case he starts wreaking havoc in present day. I promise I'll try to be back before midnight."
"Just be careful Kagome." Hiei saw the lips of the girl's brother moved. A whisper.
He watched as Kagome closed the door, zipping her jacket and pulling it closer as if to reassure of herself. She stopped halfway the stairs of the shrine and looked back to her house, her cheerful smile changing into a gloomy one.
Shoulders hunched, her head low and her hands clasped together tightly behind her back, she walked quickly, determined but with some hesitation to the night.
Hiei followed in suit feeling apprehensive and dread for the first time in his entire life.
~
Goosebumps fluttered all over her skin, the wind swirling around her. Kagome could feel the thickness of the air around her and it was suddenly hard to breath. Nevertheless she continued on her dredged path, feeling unanimously unconcern of watching eyes. She knew they were there, watching her, especially that boy who was watching her during school. He was probably assigned to watch her, due to her miracles and the fact that she knew he was spying on her. Truly, these youkai or whoever it is that assigned to watch her were easy to read. She automatically knew what they were trying to do. But she was still unsure what Minamino Shuuchi has anything to do with this; the Shikon no Tama wasn't telling her anything about him except for the fact that the jewel wants something from him and whatever it is, she would have to get closer to him to discover it.
Her destination was close, her senses tingling with sharp shards of fear. Naraku was watching as usual, she could practically see the smile on his face and that made her blood boiled.
It was a forest just a few kilometers from civilization. As their temple was in the outskirts of the town, it wasn't that far off and it wasn't that tiring. Kagome has walked farther than this.
She found herself in the clearing of the forest, the tall grass swayed to the wind, like a soft lullaby it was alluring.
"Come out, come out wherever you are," said Kagome faintly, then in a firmed and louder voice, "Naraku! Show yourself! I know you are watching me!"
She closed her eyes, listening for the sounds of the night – lack of it due to her calling. The wind stopped.
She felt the tendrils of their connection thickening and the shadows increasing. Even the moonlight was no winner against it. Naraku was just complete darkness. She noticed the trees dimming in color as is the grass surrounding her.
"My miko, beautiful as always. And yet…your heart is not your own, I wonder why?"
Her eyes darkened in response. She flipped around and found the owner of the voice.
"You are not who I call for," Kagome replied coolly, "Is your master such a coward that he cannot even show his face to his own adversary?"
The youkai chuckled, "oh fear not miko, he is merely bored with this game. But I assure you that he is far from cowardice nor is he still giving up. He is intended in taking you as his."
Kagome stared at the youkai with indifference, feeling infuriated with Naraku. Yet, she was relieved, that she wouldn't have to face him, until the next time. But she had to call him no matter what, she needed to end this quickly. A playful smile appeared on her features causing the youkai to frown.
"Tell me something oh great messenger of Naraku," said Kagome inaudibly, "theoretically speaking, what would it take to show that bastard's face here?"
"What are you suggesting miko?" the youkai growled.
Kagome grinned, weaving a spell that was indisputably complicated.
She was going to summon and use the Tessaiga.
"What if I can do…this!"
A single shot of light appeared in the night sky causing the youkai to gape in surprise. It was even more surprising when that shot of light found itself in the hands of the miko. The Tessaiga shimmered lively.
"Know what this is?" Kagome asked, smirking. The youkai started, taking a step back.
"That…that can't be…y-you cannot use that…only – '
"Only Inuyasha can," Kagome finished for him.
"Ho-how can –"
"How can I use it?" Kagome questioned, interrupting him once more, "Simple, I can use it."
"I-impossible!" the youkai stuttered.
"Oh its very much possible," said Kagome, "just as long as you got the right spell and strength to use it. Now tell me, is this enough to show that bastard's face here?"
"Really my miko, you could of just asked nicely," a voice said, amusement in his tone.
Kagome smiled icily, "Really Naraku, you could've just appeared like I asked," her tone containing with able mock.
"What would be the fun in that when I could watch you beg?"
She raised a brow, letting the Tessaiga fall to her side.
"Whoever said anything about begging?" she snorted. The Shikon jewel throbbed slightly, the intensity of the power growing inside her body.
"Oh?" Naraku mused, "I was under the impression that is what you intended to do…unless I'm very much mistaken, the last time I check, I own your heart."
She flicked the sword in front of her, and let the power unleash. Kagome stood, in a fighting stance, a blue flaming aura surrounding her.
"I have every intention of getting it back. That is my heart you stole and I will get it back even if it means I get to kill what you treasure most."
It's not long! It's not long! Next chapter, Hiei nurse a very wounded Kagome.
PLUG!
Transcending a Dynasty by JadeWing.
Revised and Edited: December 10, 2003