Hey, guys I wanted to update and get their first meeting out of the way. Kagome comes face to face with demon bandits and also has some unpleasant reminders of the past. Hope you guys like this chapter.

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

Chapter 2

Unforgiving Memories

As the two demons made their entrance, Kagome lifted an eyebrow as she studied them seriously. She was sitting in a chair at a small table, her head held in her hands and her eyes dark and mysterious. The first to enter was a tall and elegant silver kitsune. He was dressed in a white kimono type outfit which seemed to fit him like a glove on his toned body. A bat demon followed, cloaked in black, wearing a black tattered hat. He was swinging a ruby pendant set in gold back and forth casually. Ah, now she knew who they were. She had heard from traveling humans and mercenaries about two bandits, who were both mysterious and deadly. She'd been amused at the time, if not fascinated. After all, everyone needs a good thief to keep them on their toes.

However, she didn't know quite how to deal with these two. Lower class oni, she could handle. But demon bandits? It was certainly a challenge, one she looked forward to. The two demons were now standing nervously in front of her door, both regarding her with a strange questioning curiosity. She met the kitsune's eyes first, gazing into his golden orbs, as a momentary flash of pain rushed through her. Inuyasha's eyes had been gold, too. And, once again, she was reminded of his death...and there failure.

He was staring at her, his ears flickering in her direction, proving his interest was piqued. She let her eyes trailed to the bat demon and she regarded him a little more curiously. She'd never really met any demons that looked like him before. The only one's she'd ever encountered had been cold and ruthless, preferring to eat human flesh.

"Woman," it was the kistune who spoke first. "You possess the Shikon no Tama, do you not?" he asked, his voice a slow purr which made her want to shiver.

She nodded but didn't reply.

"Why would you, protector of such a jewel....invite two demons into your home?" it was the bat who spoke next.

"Because you are no threat," the whispered words were caught easily enough, both slightly offended.

"You mean to tell us, you do not fear us, miko?" Yoko demanded.

"No," she answered staring him in the eyes. Ah, a challenge indeed. Before he could make another reply, Kagome spoke again. "Why have you come here?"

"We seek the jewel known as the Shikon no Tama?" Yoko said, coldly.

"Why?" Kagome asked. "What use do you have for such a thing when you are surely more powerful than most?"

"It is not the jewel itself we seek," the bat spoke softly, his voice a little louder and softer.

"It is knowledge you seek then?" she asked raising an eyebrow. This was a first.

When both demons nodded, she got quiet and thoughtful. "I see," she whispered. She fingered the jewel underneath her shirt. Whenever she was thinking she found herself rubbing the jewel. She watched as both demons observed her, cold and calculated. "Would you like to sit down?" she finally asked, noticing they were both still standing.

"Will you tell us about the jewel?" The soft spoken question came from the bat again. Kagome casually let her eyes wander to him, as she met and held his gaze boldly. He appeared to be a ruthless killer, at first glance, a dangerous adversary if she ever fought him. But, his aura, showed that he was also capable of feelings and emotions, and kindness. Maybe it was time she told someone the story, the real story of the Shikon. Not the falsehoods everyone claimed to speak of. But they didn't know. They hadn't been thee. They hadn't witnessed what she had, suffered the way she had. After all, she would know. The Shikon no Tama was her cross to bear.

Without blinking, she nodded, "yes." She motioned for both demons to sit across from her. They were hesitant at first, but both wanted answers. And for some reason, they felt they could trust her. When they were seated both parties observed each other for a spell. Before anyone could speak, a soft cry startled the demons as Kagome jumped up. "I'm sorry. I'll be right back. Please stay. I wish to...talk." She was gone before anyone could make a move.

"Well, Yoko, what do you think?" Kuronue asked his partner and best friend as his eyes followed the miko's path from the room.

"I think we have found more of a mystery in her, than with the jewel," Yoko remarked. "I can't explain it, but there is something about her."

"She seems...lonely," Kuronue added. "It is her eyes and her aura...they are...crying."

The two demons sat and pondered this strange enigma before the woman returned carrying a small demon child in his arms.

"A kitsune?" Yoko asked, before he could stop himself.

Kagome sat down at the table gently, careful not to wake to bundle in her arms again. She smiled gently at the two demons before shifting Shippo in her arms so they could observe him. "This is my son, Shippo. He is my adopted kit....a kitsune like you," she nodded to Yoko.

"A miko caring for a demon?" Kuronue asked, somewhat amazed.

A brief smile touched her face as she looked down at the little fox in her arms. She gently touched his cheek and ran her fingers through his hair. "It is easy to love," she replied. "Even for a miko, of a demon-child."

"Who are you, woman?" Yoko asked intrigued at the oddity seated before him.

Kagome glanced at him, before chuckling quietly. "Someone who wishes for freedom," she whispered under her breath. "My name is Kagome," she said. "And you two?" The little kitsune made a small choking sound in his throat and began thrashing in Kagome's arms. Both demons were stunned when she held him tighter and began making cooing noises under her breath, similar to a mother demon's.

"I am Yoko Kurama," Kurama stated, glancing at the kit in her arms. "This is my partner Kuronue."

Kuronue nodded at her, and she nodded back. The kit began to quiet down and Kagome gave a sigh of relief. She grimaced slightly and apologized. "Sorry about that. Shippo still has terrible nightmares."

Yoko let a gentle smile trace his lips. "It is quite all right. You are very good with him," he observed.

"Thank you," she whispered back, surprised at the compliment. "So, what exactly do you want to know about the jewel?" she asked after a few minutes of silence.

Both demons shrugged. "We really don't know. We had been passing through when we heard it was whole again," Kuronue started to explain.

"But you don't want it for its power?" Kagome asked.

"We would never resort to something as cowardly as a jewel to make us more powerful," Yoko said almost angrily.

Kagome regarded them before replying, "Then you two are among the few." She got up and set the little kit down on a soft couch and began pacing. "You two are two of the first demons I've ever known who never wanted the power of the jewel for yourself. And for that," she stopped to stare pointedly in their eyes, "I must commend you. You two are very honorable, even for a couple of thieves. Even Inuyasha wanted the jewel at first."

Both demons were stunned that she had just complimented them, before the last statement was brought to their attention. "Inuyasha, you mean the hanyou who was rumored to be the strongest half-breed?" Yoko asked.

"Yes," Kagome answered, faltering a few steps in her pacing. "He was , as well as a few others."

"Miko," Kuronue began before Kagome shot him a frosty look.

"My name is Kagome. Use it, please."

"My apologies, I didn't mean to offend," Kuronue said softly, his eyes softening with an apologetic look.

"It is all right," she whispered. Yoko and Kuronue noted the far-off look in her eyes.

"Anyway, Kagome, Yoko and I truthfully don't know much about the jewel, only that it has the power to strengthen demons. What can you tell us about it?" Kuronue asked.

"I can tell you many things," she replied. "Where it came from, what happened to it....what happened to the people who died for it." Her eyes became hard and closed off and harder than hell to read. But nevertheless both demons were becoming too intrigued by this woman and her secrets. They wanted to know more, about the jewel...about her.

Kuronue took her hand and urged her to sit down with them, before staring into her eyes. "Will you tell us?" he asked seriously. "Everything?"

She stared into his eyes and suddenly felt the urge to spill, to tell them everything. She'd been alone for the longest time and her heart ached at the chance to blurt out everything she'd been through. For some reason, she felt she could trust them with everything. And, she realized, she wanted to.

She turned and met Yoko's eyes, so like Inuyasha's yet different. They were both sitting there awaiting her decision and before she knew it, she had already decided. "Yes, I will tell you," she whispered.

She began speaking, surprised at how the words seemed to flow from her mouth, and at how detached she felt. "It started with a battle between a 100 demons and one powerful miko named Midoriku...."

I'm going to stop it there, because the next chapter is going to be the explanation of the jewel. And then I'll probably add in what happened to Kagome to cause her to be so sad and unreachable. I hope you guys liked this chapter and please please please R/R! It gives my joy to know what you guys think. It also causes me to update faster.

Ja ne

Kura-kun's-lovr