Hey guys! Yes, I'm updating again, even though I didn't get as much feedback as I'd wanted. Where are you people! You demanded more of me and when I update you don't review? Please, please, please review. It makes us writers absolutely crazy when we don't get the kind of response we want. But I'm updating hoping that maybe you will review if I give you even more than what you want.

Little Yusuke

Flashback

Thinking or Kagome speaking

Chapter 8

:Flashback:

Ah, I love this realm, Kagome giggled to herself as she floated in and around the crowds of milling people. The rain was falling and Kagome relished the feel of the warm wetness. It was always warm and sunny up in her realm. The gods never allowed the realm to look anything but glorious and pristine. Even the shadow half of the god's realm never rained. Instead it merely stayed overcast and dark, with the occasional lightning streak across the dark sky. And Kagome absolutely loved the rain, which was why she was practically skipping down the street as the warm wetness slid easily over her human cover.

She was wearing simple clothes, normal human clothing, and she had to admit some humans had good taste.

She was in her human form, appearing as if she were a young teenager. You would never look at her and believe this beautiful girl was a goddess in disguise. She had pure black velvet strands of hair reaching the small of her back, deep blue eyes, and baby soft skin. She touched her cheek and giggled out loud. It was such a lovely day.

Kagome was humming a soft tune under her breath when she noticed something sitting on the curb of a nearby deserted street. Curiously, she turned her head and just barely made out a little child with his chin resting on arms, wrapped around bent knees. Kagome's sharp eyes ran over the tiny child, using far too superior senses to be human, noting the bruises forming on his adorable pouting face and skinny arms. She felt a flash of pity for the poor child. Someone was obviously hurting him and all who passed him ignored the tiny thing. How could anyone think to hurt a child? She would never dare hurt her Shippo. Because of Kagome's unique abilities she was able to look into a person's heart and search their true feelings. What she found astonished her.

This boy, he wasn't human. He had large amount of demon blood...and something else she couldn't place. Kagome gasped out loud, startling a nearby human boy who stared at her bizzarly before he winked and flipped his sun streaked brown hair. Kagome merely ignored him for he was unworthy of her attentions. She turned back to look at the boy and found him gone. She looked around hurriedly before finally catching a glimpse of his fading figure as it walked on unsteady legs toward some unknown destination.

There! It was there! She could feel it! The young boy had only about a quarter human blood and his aura was filled with a holy light! She could sense the purity shadowed beneath an already tough exterior. The boy's face looked absolutely miserable as he walked along, head bowed towards the asphalt.

All at once Kagome's heart lightened and her spirit was filled with joy. She had found him. At last she had found her next Beloved. Oh, and what a strong Beloved he would become. Kagome could sense the spiritual power within his small body and knew that he was meant for great things.

Kagome raced after the boy, body fading as if it were never there in the first place. She reappeared in her normal spirit form and came out over top the young ruffian's head. In this form, no one could see her unless she made it so. "Hello, little one," Kagome called out to him, chuckling when she startled him. The boy's head flew up and he tripped on his feet, falling over and landing heavily on his ass. Kagome was surprised at how fast he recovered when he quickly sprang up and put out his fists as if he were being jumped. Kagome felt a bit bad that she'd managed to scare him. "I apologize for frightening you, my Beloved. It was not my intention."

"Wh-who are you?" The boy whispered defensively, glancing around guardedly. He didn't see anyone around him. He continued his search and came up with nothing. Finally he sighed and continued walking, shaking his head as he muttered, "that never happened. It was just my imagination."

"What is your name?" She tried again, this time jumping back when he aimed a punch directly where her lower waist would be. As it was, his hand merely passed through her as she stared into his face intently, studying him closely. His doe brown eyes were narrowed in suspicion as he glared at her or where he assumed her to be. His eye brows were drawn in close and his body was tense again.

"Are you a ghost or somethin'?" He called out, surprising her and himself.

"Mm...or something," Kagome murmured, surprised when the kid relaxed his stance a tiny bit.

"Or something?" he asked, still looking around. "What's that supposed to mean? And where are you? Is this some kind of trick?"

"I'm not trying to trick you, little one," Kagome answered with all the patience in the world. She found his bravery refreshing.

"Well...okay," the boy replied and then pouted. "Why do you keep calling me little one? I'm not little."

Kagome giggled and to little Yusuke her laugh sounded like the tinkling of bells. "Well you haven't told me your name, so what should I call you?" She teased, delighted and amused when he made a small growling sound like that of a tiny cub.

"I'm Yusuke. But you're a ghost, shouldn't you know already?" The little boy challenged sarcastically. "Don't ghosts know these kinds of things?"

Kagome sighed. Maybe she should have rethought her approach. "What are you doing out here all alone? Where are your parents?"

The little boy's energy seemed to dim a bit and he looked very sad. Kagome wanted to hug him and was surprised at how much she cared about this strange child. He felt different than her other Beloved, somehow more special.

"I guess my mom forgot about me again," Yusuke whispered.

Poor thing, Kagome thought to herself. "Does she do this a lot? Who takes care of you?"

"Why do you care?" Yusuke spoke up defensively and Kagome felt like she'd been slapped. Not from the slight jab, but by the anger and fear in the boy's tone of voice. He'd obviously never had anyone care about him before. Poor thing must be terribly lonely and confused

"Because I do, little Beloved," She told him soothingly, sending every ounce of love she had into him.

"Why?" Yusuke whispered. "No one's ever cared about me before. My mom hates me and wishes I wasn't around." Yusuke lifted an arm and sniffed, rubbing his eyes as they shone bright with unshed tears. "And my only friend is always mad at me."

"Why would she be mad at you?" Kagome asked. "She's your friend, isn't a friend supposed to be nice to you?"

Yusuke looked down and muttered, "I guess."

"I will care for you," Kagome answered after a few moments. She floated by his side as he resumed his walk. "You don't need to cry anymore. I will protect you."

Little Yusuke rubbed his damp cheeks. "I wasn't cryin'," he denied and Kagome fought not to laugh out loud.

"I'm sure you weren't," Kagome agreed. "Would you like me to walk you home?" She asked him, wanting to know just how this little boy lived. She wanted to see this inattentive mother and judge her, herself.

"I guess," Yusuke shrugged. "If you're going to be haunting me "Ko-Rei" then I guess you have to know where I live. Just don't haunt me while I'm trying to sleep."

"I think I can agree to that," Kagome answered him, chuckling at his posturing.

She was taken aback when Yusuke grinned and seemed to look up in her general direction, although she knew he wouldn't be able to see her. His once timid brown eyes were shining with mirth and playfulness and Kagome fought not to take him away with her now. However, that was against the rules and the other kami would not treat his case like Shippo's. Little Yusuke still had a destiny to complete and she must comply to their wishes.

Later on that night Kagome tucked Yusuke in after seeing just what his mother was; a drunk with no life, except to indulge in pointless boozing and sleazy men. Kagome watched him for several hours and kissed him gently on the forehead just before she left, leaving behind a symbol shaped like a lightning bolt; it was the symbol of his father as well as her claim on him. Now, when he came of age, he would be hers to love and protect. No one else could claim him or they would face severe penalties.

Kagome growled in contempt as she felt her sister's eyes bearing into her back. It was that damn crystal ball 'thingie' her sister thought was so creative. However her sister was as dense as ever as she forgot to cloak herself again. Kagome knew she would have to tone down her feelings towards this boy, less her sister learn of her expressed interest. Kagome was relieved that her sister could not feel the excess power in this boy. No doubt Kikyo could feel the demon blood, but was too arrogant to recognize that there was more to Yusuke than the eye could see.

Yusuke had kami blood in him and Kagome had a good idea who his father was, quite shocking really.

Kagome smirked before disappearing. Wouldn't Raidon be surprised!

:End Flashback:

After that night Kagome continued to visit Yusuke throughout his life, appearing every couple months to check in and speak with him. However, Yusuke always seemed too embarrassed to talk about his mother. Obviously he would have issues with her when he grew up enough to understand. That was all right with Kagome. Our goddess had already found out about Yusuke's true origins, as well as who his father was. Yusuke had no idea just how much more his life was going to change. She hadn't been lying to him. She knew his father, knew the god quite well. He was a good friend of her father's and hadn't known about Yusuke until Kagome had mentioned taking him as her Beloved when the time came. The poor kami had been outraged when he found out the truth of Yusuke's parentage. Raidon had immediately wanted to take the boy under his wings and train him, but Kagome had convince the Thunder God that it would be in his best interests to wait until Yusuke completed what destiny had set for him.

Kagome grinned as she recalled what happened when she casually mentioned the boy's untapped demon energy, which intrigued her mother as well as a few others. Yusuke had been investigated, although it was clear he never knew about the spirits studying him.

Yusuke's father and another of Yusuke's recently deceased ancestors were anxiously awaiting their first meeting with the grown up Toushin. And, oh how much he'd grown.

Kagome sat down on the edge of the bed, running a hand through his inky black hair, admiring the changes in his body. His body had filled out and he'd lost what little baby fat he'd had before she'd been forced to leave him alone.

Kagome had been miserable without being a constant presence in his life these past few years, but she also knew it had to be done. Yusuke had to be strong in order to survive what was to come. She'd known even before Yusuke did what his destiny was, just as she'd known Koenma would choose the teenager to become his next spirit detective. It was Destiny's plan and since she was an especially good friend of the woman, Kagome was privy to a few tidbits of information no one else knew. Some well placed thought and small innuendos from Destiny's muses and Koenma wasted no time in drafting the then young delinquent. After all if Koenma hadn't sent Yusuke on his first mission, then he would never have met his other teammates and ultimately begin the long journey into man hood. The only thing Kagome hadn't counted on was how handsome he'd turn out.

In the beginning she had felt purely motherly towards him...but something began to change. She began noticing little things about him, the way his hair fell when it wasn't slicked back, the way his eyes would light up every time another challenge came his way. By the time she'd had to leave him it was too late for her. She'd fallen in love with the brash young man and it practically killed her to know that she was leaving him in the midst of figuring out her feelings.

That's the other reason she'd left him alone for so long. She knew it wouldn't take her sister too long to notice how much attention she showed to the young delinquent.

And now...now here he was, a grown man with muscles and looks that put even some of the gods to shame. She couldn't wait to see how he reacted to Raidon and his other ancestors. She knew Raidon was excited to meet his son for the first time. In fact Kagome could almost make out the thunderclaps roaring his excitement throughout the shadow realm.

She sighed, standing up and turning to leave. She froze when Yusuke moaned in his sleep. Gasping, she turned and was relieved to find him still asleep. She smiled and crossed back over to the bed, replacing the covers around his sleeping body. Good bye for now, my Beloved, she whispered in her mind, wishing he was awake to hear her. She turned and shot a look over her shoulder as she walked out. Sweet dreams, my Yusuke.

"Urg," Yusuke moaned, shifting in his sleep and rolling over, trying to figure out what that loud sound was. Was it...storming? Through his sleep-deprived brain he tried to listen for the light pulse of rain and could hear nothing of the sort. All he knew was that his head was killing him. Damn, he thought. What did I do last night? Yoko and Kuronue didn't get me drunk did they? Yusuke continued grumbling and cursing, his mind wakening by the second.

Suddenly his eyes snapped open and he sat bold right up in bed upon receiving some visual images of the day before. Kurama, Kuronue, Keiko, the breakup, speaking with his previously lost spirit and being taken somewhere. He looked around curiously noting he was nowhere near anything that looked familiar.

"Where the fuck am I?" He demanded, noticing he was in a dark room, moonlight spilling through blue curtains. That's when he heard the thunder only now it seemed up close and personal. He growled and jumped towards the window, ripping the curtains even further apart, and jumped back in surprise. It was dark as far as the eye could see, although the darkness hid nothing of the splendor all around him.

Kingdoms, vast castles, far off places filled with dense forests and bright sparkling lakes. Even though it was night time he felt like he could see even more than what he could by day. The moonlight shone down, basking the land in its glorious glow, ensnaring his already dumfound mind. Where was he? Did he die...again?

"So what do you think?" He heard a voice ask.

Before he could stop himself he answered. "I think I've finally lost it." Then he froze. Wait a second. I know that voice. Where have I heard it before?

The man's gravely voice chuckled and the sound seemed to reverberate, bouncing off wall after wall. "Who are you? Where are you?"

"What, you mean you don't remember me, Yusuke?" The man asked mockingly, humor and pride evident in his voice. "Of course you never did see anything but my fist flying towards your face before being knocked on your ass."

"What!" Yusuke grumbled, eyes widened with astonishment when he sensed movement behind him. Without thought and relying purely on instinct, Yusuke swung around and punched the area directly in front of him, encountering only a large, muscle-laden arm that looked vaguely familiar as it blocked his punch with ease.

Hearing a chuckle Yusuke's eyes slid slowly up the arm bracing his, noticing the strange bird-like tattoos, tattoos that looked eerily similar to his. Brown eyes flew up and gazed upon a face Yusuke had once called 'father'.

"I-I don't believe it," Yusuke stepped back as the man dropped his arm and stared in equal wonder, cold eyes traveling over every inch of his 'son'.

"Recognize me now, Yusuke?" The man drawled, voice rough with amusement.

Yusuke's astonishment reached the pinnacle over load. There was only so much a guy could take. This was too much. Maybe he really was dead. Maybe his "Ko-Rei" had tricked him. Or maybe this was a dream or nightmare or something.

"H-How?" He somehow found his voice. "You're dead, I saw you die." When the older Toushin made no move to comment, only stood stoically, Yusuke finally lost his patience. "Tell me now, old man!"

Ha! Bet you all weren't expecting that were ya'? If you haven't guessed the 'old man' is Raizen. There, I've told you a secret, but he isn't even half of what you're going to find out about Yusuke. Yusuke's parentage will be exposed in time, but now for another two chapters. So ha! That will keep you guessing for awhile. So that being said, if you want to know more about Yusuke, his real father, and what Raizen has to say you better review and tell me so, otherwise I just might 'forget' to update sooner. I will tell you that the next chapter is six months after Yusuke's disappearance and we'll check in on how our other boys are doing. We'll learn what Kurama has been up to and you might even get a special peak at what Yusuke's been up to in the kami realm. That's if I'm feeling generous with you all. And I just might if you review.

Thanks for all the support so far. I'm glad some of you really like this story. It makes me feel good to have you all say all those nice things.

Ja ne.

Kura