Hey, guys I'm back!!! Aren't you excited. Well, even if you aren't I have another update for you and let me tell you, this is the last one for the night. I've already updated three of my other stories before this. Not to mention, that I just write what comes to me. Anywa, if any of you are wondering, I'll be updating Old Friends and TarKagome tomorrow, as those are the last ones that need updated. And, oh yeah, I have two new fictions stories up and one Inu/Kag one-shot, if you haven't already read any of them. On of my new ones is a Kuronue/Kagome and the other is, of course, Kage/Kur. So if you want check those other ones out too. Anyway, here is my update.

Disclaimer: How many times must I repeat myself that I don't own anything anime, except dvds.

Chapter 9

Swapping Stories

Sometime later that night Kagome woke up to a loud crashing sound. Kagome's ears perked and she spread out her youki searching for any kind of danger. Kagome growled before noticing that both her best friends were gone and her kit and brother were still sleeping peacefully on the other couch.

Getting up slowly so as not to disturb the two boys Kagome went in search of her best friends and quickly found Miroku. Kagome walked into the kitchen ready to reprimand the two boys for making so much noise; that was until she noticed how tense Miroku's shoulders were.

"Miroku," Kagome whispered. "Miroku, what is it?" she asked growling slightly at that thought that something might be wrong. She walked over and touched his shoulder gently as he turned to face her, looking quite perturbed.

"I don't know. Sesshomaru and I woke up a little bit ago thinking we heard people talking. Then we heard a loud crash," Miroku explained.

"Oh, no! Where'd Sesshomaru go?" she gasped.

"He's fine, Kagome," he reassured his friend standing up and pulling her into a comforting hug. "He went out the back door trying to sneak around and sniff out any unwanted guests. He told me to stay here and watch after you until you wake up."

She breathed a sigh of relief. She knew Sesshomaru could take care of himself, especially if dealing with weak humans. Suddenly a large flair of demon energy flowed over Kagome's senses as she gasped and bent over.

"Oh, God, Roku, Sess is in trouble," she could feel his energy rising with anger. But he wasn't alone. No, there were several powerful energies with the demon lord. Two seemed to be demons with a large amount of spirit energy, and two seemed to be humans, though they each possessed a strange kind of energy.

"Let's go," Miroku said coldly, standing up and grabbing his staff. Kagome quickly schooled in her poker face and quickly followed after her friend.

:::A few minutes before:::

Yusuke was stumbling around after being harshly dumped out of Boton's portal back to Ningenkai. After getting his bearings straight and cursing Boton and Koenma under his breath a few times, Yusuke finally calmed down and started walking; only to find that Boton had dropped them as far away from the top of the shrine as humanly possible. And so after another round or cursing at which point Yusuke was turning blue in the face, Hiei finally landed a blow to Yusuke's skull, causing him to quiet down. But that didn't stop him from shooting glares at Hiei; not that Hiei was paying any attention.

"Are we there yet?" Kuwabara asked gasping for air.

"No, you moron, now quite your whining and keep walking up those steps," Yusuke demanded practically shoving Kuwabara face-first up the stairs.

"Hey, watch it, Urameshi," Kuwabara shouted.

"Ssh," Kurama whispered. "You too quiet down, you're causing too much ruckus."

Yusuke grumbled an apology before shooting a questioning look at Kurama. "Hey, what's up with you anyway? You've never been so mean and demanding, well except for the times when you turn into Yoko."

Kurama glared at the spirit detective for his off handed comment about Yoko, before sighing. "Nothing is wrong. It's this place. It feels...off for some reason."

"Off?" Kuwabara asked. "You mean like how it feels too peaceful."

Hiei and Yusuke stared at the idiot for actually thinking straight for once.

"Well sort of," Kurama continued. "Almost like something is just about to-"

"You have ten seconds to tell me who you are demon before I have you disemboweled," came a low throaty growl seemingly out of no where.

Hiei whirled around and threw his katana at a nearby tree as a figure jumped neatly down and landed gracefully. The man that greeted them didn't look like much. He was dressed in a pair of black jeans and a silver shirt. He had long black hair and emerald green eyes that could compete with Kurama's.

"How dare you come onto this property and armed, as well," the man spoke growling.

"Oh, and who are you, ningen that you can dare challenge I," Hiei taunted smirking slightly. His face fell when the man in front of them moved in the blink of an eye and had Hiei pinned to a tree, the man's arm tightened securely around his throat.

The man's eyes flashed. "You assume too much, koorime," he growled before letting Hiei go. "Be lucky she hates meaningless fighting. I would not suggest doing that," he stated from the corner of his eyes as Hiei attempted to pull his katana again.

The questions just kept on coming. Like how in the hell had the man moved just as fast, if not faster than Hiei? And just who was this guy referring to?

"Sess!" A female voice cried running toward the man. A moment later a female, followed by another male ran up to the man, now identified as Sess. She ran into his arms taking no notice of anyone else here. "Are you okay?" she asked sweetly gazing up into her best friend's eyes.

Sess huffed, but returned the hug. "You should know better than that, little one," he whispered. "These puny demons could never hurt one such as this Sesshomaru." Miroku walked up to them with an amused gleam in his eye.

"Oh, sure, nothing can hurt the great Sesshomaru," He smirked teasingly as Sesshomaru growled half-heartedly at the taunt.

"Wait...Sesshomaru? You don't mean Lord Sesshomaru of the Western Lands?" Kurama suddenly asked.

It seems that Kagome had finally noticed the new arrivals and when she did, she almost fainted. "Kurama!" she gasped then looked to Yusuke, who looked rather pissed and stunned. "Yusuke!"

"Kagome?" Kurama responded getting a good look at her.

"Well, 'Gome, seems you know these folks," Miroku said coming up to stand beside her.

"Well, I just met most of them this morning. Yusuke, however, is my cousin," Kagome explained.

"Cousin?" a small voice out of nowhere asked. Kagome glance down to see Shippo rubbing his eyes sleepily. "I didn't know you had a cousin, mama." Kagome smiled down at her son and picked him up, missing everyone, especially Kurama's, shocked expressions when they heard Shippo call her mom.

"Well, I for one am rather tired and cold. Why don't you all come in and explain what you're doing here," Miroku suggested glancing at Sesshomaru who had been watching the four detectives like a hawk. Upon noticing Miroku's questioning stare, Sess nodded ever so slightly.

"Yes, why don't you come in? You all can stay here for the night after we talk," Kagome said. She abruptly turned around as Shippo fell back asleep in her arms, lulled into sleep by the soft movements of Kagome's strides.

Yusuke for one wanted to stay. He had some very pressing questions for his cousin; like why the hell all of a sudden she fell demon. And where is that kid's father. If he left her, ooh, Yusuke was steaming now. He didn't even wait for the others to agree, before hurrying after his cousin for some much needed questions. Kurama quickly followed after, as he was just as curious, maybe even more so than Yusuke.

"Wait up," Kuwabara cried racing after the two. Hiei started up before Sesshomaru roughly grabbed Hiei by the arm.

"I hope you know you are not to touch, harm, or threaten anyone inside that house, Koorime," Sesshomaru threatened. Hiei glared darkly before nodding ever so slightly and zipping away through the trees. Besides if all the stories were true of the Western Lord, than he wasn't something Hiei wanted to mess with.

The group now sat inside as Kagome made cocoa for everyone. Once inside she's scooped up her brother and took both Shippo and Sota to their bedroom so they wouldn't disturb the boys with their talking. Everyone was seated in various places as Kagome came back into the living room. Sesshomaru was leaning against a wall, his eyes closed lost in thought. Miroku sat on one side of the love seat while Kuwabara was lying on the floor playing with Bouyo. Yusuke was leaning against another wall glaring at everyone and anyone who dared look his way. And Kurama was on the other couch.

She was about to go and sit with Miroku until Kurama caught her eye and smiled at her. Kagome couldn't help but head in the opposite direction to Kurama's side as Miroku looked on in amusement. Something about him was calling her; something wild and untamed. It made her shiver just thinking about it. Once seated Kagome forced her attention away from Kurama's eyes and onto her cousin.

"Okay, Yusuke, you are going explain to me what you're doing here so late at night," Kagome began. "You're also going to explain to me why you're hanging out with two full blooded demons and why you seem to have a fair amount of hanyou blood in you."

Yusuke gulped before nodding. "Okay, well don't say I didn't warn you. See, it all started when I died trying to save a little kid" Yusuke went on and on about his first few mission as a spirit detective, how he'd met Hiei and Kurama. Yusuke noticed Kagome seemed faintly amused when she heard Kurama had been a thief, but left it alone and continued on. He went through the whole dark tournament and Toguro and then finally explained about the Chapter Black issue with Sensui. When he was finished he found Kagome staring at him in fascination. Miroku was gazing at him thoughtfully, marveling over this spirit detective business and spirit world. And Sesshomaru stared at him, seemingly with no expression. But if you asked Kagome or even Miroku, you could say Yusuke had gained Sesshomaru's respect. "And that's the whole story, 'cous," Yusuke finished.

"Wow, Yusuke, I would never have imagined you'd gone through so much," Kagome murmured. "Almost more than me."

It was meant to be a whisper, but all the demons in the room heard her comment. "Now it's your turn, Kagome," Yusuke stated seriously.

Kagome nodded after glancing at Miroku and Sesshomaru. "I can do better than tell. How would you like to see everything I've gone through?" she asked. She knew she was getting over the past, but she was still getting over it. And it was still very difficult to talk about the last battle. So Miroku and Kagome had come up with a way for Kagome to speak without talking. That way if she had a problem, she could project the problem that was bothering her and whoever was watching could see what she was thinking about.

"What do you mean?" Kurama asked.

Kagome turned to Kurama. "Well, Miroku and I devised a plan to cope over our pasts. We just a sort of projector to explain how we feel and what pains us at the moment. And sometimes, we just use it to think of all the good times too," Kagome whispered.

"Well, I'm game," Yusuke said.

"But I don't get it," Kuwabara said. "What are you going to do?"

"Just watch," Kagome breathed before closing her eyes. Suddenly the lights turned off one by one and Kagome began to glow a purple color. A light began to pour out of her until it had shaped itself on the wall, looking something like the rectangular shape of a movie theatre screen. Then without warning, a scene came into view. It was of a younger Kagome as she stepped out of her house in a green sailor yukata. The group sat amazed as Kagome never opened her eyes and began going through all that had happened during her time in the Feudal era. It started with her first trip down the well, how she'd met the hanyou Inuyasha and freed him, only to break the treasure he was seeking; the Shikon no Tama.

At the mention of the famous jewel, Kurama's and Hiei's, who came out of nowhere and stood in a dark corner, eyes grew larger but neither uttered a word as they watched the drama of Kikyo and Naraku unfold. Everyone watched as Kagome first met the little boy; coincidentally enough was the same one from up stairs, called Shippo. Kurama almost laughed out loud when he watched the little kid trap the hanyou under his statue.

Everyone's gazes darkened as the tragic priestess, Kikyou was reborn, and Yusuke and Kurama began to see red at how many times Kikyou threatened to kill Kagome.

Everyone sure was surprised when Miroku came on the scene, while Miroku looked kind of wistful, remembering his glory days as a traveling monk. They were all shocked that someone as calm and collected as Miroku seemed, had once been a notorious lecher.

Everyone looked sad, but awed by the appearance of the female demon exterminator named Sango. No one noticed but Miroku's eyes softened with moisture. And though Kagome was lost in her trance of memories and thoughts, she felt Miroku's pain and reach across the room for Miroku's hand and grasped it gently in her own. Miroku instantly calmed and whispered a small, 'thank you.'

The memories went on long into the night until they reached the final battle. Everyone watched in shock and horror between Sango's battle with her own battle and both Kagome's battle with Kikyou and then Naraku. They'd watched as she'd nearly fallen, but remained strong. And as the last moments of pain clicked through her, Kagome could feel herself breaking down again and immediately dropped the energy screen and collapsed onto the floor, shedding tears of pain.

No one knew what to do for her, most watching in sympathy for the poor girl who'd had to grow up much faster than she should have. Kurama made a move to pull the distraught girl into his arms, when Miroku pushed him out of the way and picked Kagome up in his lap. She was sobbing, tears rolling from underneath her hair.

"Kagome, ssh, it's okay, Kagome," Miroku whispered. "It's over now. You're safe now."

"But Miroku, she-Sango, she died and I couldn't save her. Or Kohaku," Kagome cried.

That's when Sesshomaru joined his two best friends on the couch, pulling her slightly away from the monk turned kitsune and forced her hands away from her face. "Dry your tears Kagome there is nothing you could have done."

"Yeah, Kagome, at least you still have us," Miroku comforted her. "Remember. You are my best friend. Shippo is your son and Sota is your brother who loves you very much. We all love you, Kagome." Kagome continued to cry for a few more minutes until she fell over, exhausted from broadcasting so many memories and her brief bout of depression. Sesshomaru smiled gently before picking her up in his strong arms.

"Where are you taking her?" Kurama demanded, feeling a little jealous by the way these two men acted around her.

"I don't think that's any of your business, fox," Sesshomaru stated arrogantly before striding confidentially out of the room.

Kurama went to follow after before Miroku stopped him. "Don't worry, Kurama. He's just putting her to bed."

Now why didn't that thought sound so comforting, Kurama thought suddenly very drained and defeated.

Miroku couldn't help laughing at the man's defeated expression. "Hey, it's okay. Those two are like brother and sister. You still have a shot at her."

"And what makes you think I want a 'shot' at her as you called it?" Kurama asked lifting an eyebrow. Man, was he that obvious.

"Ha, Kurama, it's written all over your face. Every time you look at her, every time she breathes, you watch her. You can't honestly say you don't like her," Miroku stated.

By now the others in the room had drifted away, Yusuke to a guest room for the night and Kuwabara was sleeping in the middle of the floor, snoring like a mad man. And Hiei, well Hiei had probably found a tree to sleep in or something. "Kurama I'm going to be straight with you. Kagome hasn't been happy in a long, long time. And today it was in her eyes. True happiness. For some reason after she met you, all her doubts fled and she truly felt like her old self again." Miroku's eyes narrowed in silent warning. "But if you ever, ever hurt her badly enough that she looses even a tenth of the happiness she felt today out of her eyes, you can be sure that both Sesshomaru and I will be coming straight for you. And there will be nowhere for you to hide."

Kurama wanted to gulp at the look in the other man's eyes, but since he is Kurama and the one thing Kurama never looses is his cool, Kurama merely nodded in understanding. Miroku smiled happily. "Great, glad we got that covered." He started to head for the stairs. "Oh and Kurama, Kagome bedroom is the last one on your right. You can't miss it."

Kurama began to blush with the implication in the man's floating chuckle as he retreated up the stairs and into his own bedroom. Nevertheless, Kurama is a kitsune, one of the most curious as well. And so he took the bait, heading for the last room on the right.

When he finally found the room, Kurama quietly slipped in to find her sleeping peacefully in the middle of her bed. Her cheeks were still streaked with tears, but she had stopped crying and now slept quietly. He crept silently over to the bed and leaned over her. He brought his hand up and softly traced her cheek bone. Lord, but she was very pretty.

Looking around to be sure there were no temperamental dog demons in the immediate vicinity Kurama removed his shirt leaving him bear-chested. Without a sound, Kurama slipped under the covers and pulled her little body so she lay draped over his stomach. He brought both arms around her tight lithe body and anchored her more securely against him.

Holding her tight, Kurama leaned down and indulged in the scent of Kagome's hair. Lilies, he decided, that's what she smelled like. He couldn't resist pecking a small innocent kiss on her mouth before whispering a small good night and finally shutting his eyes, oblivious to the pair of golden eyes who watched over the two on the bed, before closing the door and walking away with the oddest expression on his face; one that if you looked carefully could be described as acceptance.

So, what do you guys think? Kawaii huh? I thought so. And that idea of using a sort of screen for Kagome's memories should have made this chapter some what unique. Anyway, thanks to all my wonderful reviewers so far! You guys are the best. I hope you enjoyed my new chapter and come again.

Ja ne

Kura-Kun's-lovr