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

--------------------------

Chapter 7 - Secrets

Three adults were once again sitting in the living room of Tenashu Higurashi. Blue eyes were conflicted as his mouth set itself in a grim line. "They're alright now. A few hours ago...well, let's just say the two groups are going to be feeling repercussions from the two most recent events for weeks to come. One good thing has come of this. If you can call it good."

Genkai glared at the raven-haired man. "Out with it Tenashu. What has happened now?"

"Oh, nothing much. The Key of Flames has unlocked the Prophet, the Shikon no Tama's Guardian was revealed, and the Controller and Guardian briefly experienced the full power of the Shikon Jewel. That especially will have repercussions. Now that they have unlocked it once, they will be tied together." Tenashu began grinning at the end as the other two turned harsh glares in his direction.

"And you did not call us when these events began happening. Why?"

"Because I was in a vision! I was worried about them, I thought they were going to get into a fight with each other for awhile there. My Kagome and that boy certainly have matching tempers." Tenashu frowned slightly. Eventually they'd start trusting each other again, and Tenashu was sure that boy liked his daughter. He wasn't sure if he liked that. He didn't have anything against the boy, it was just, she was so young.

Not even realizing the strange looks he was getting from his companions he ran one hand through his thick black hair in frustration. He hadn't even seen the girl outside of visions in almost a decade and he still thought he could have a choice in the matter? No, he wouldn't be able to interfere at all, it was their choice, and only theirs.

"And of my brother?" Sesshoumaru asked calmly, breaking Tenashu out of his thoughts.

"He's alright. A little shocked. He thought Kikyou was the guardian. No one tried to purify him this time though." Tenashu grinned and Sesshoumaru's lips quirked up slightly into an almost smile.

"Perhaps there is hope for little brother after all."

-~-

Kikyou rested one hand on her sister's shoulder soothingly. She heard a small sigh escape her sister's control, the only expression of her anger she had shown so far. Everyone counted Kikyou as the one who hid her feelings, but the more Kagome was hurt by something the more she strived to be cheerful.

Obviously she had been wounded deeply by the boy's accusation. Kikyou frowned as Sango walked up, supporting Botan. The blue-haired girl stared at the ground, and Kikyou sensed something different about her. Older, wiser, and whatever it was, it was weighing the normally cheerful girl down. Kikyou's expression turned to the forest, the last place they had seen the boys, and where she could still sense them. "Damn them."

Three sets of eyes settled on Kikyou's angry countenance in surprise. Kagome was the first to shift her gaze to Botan. Botan met her eyes briefly and Kagome felt the shielded jewel around her neck pulse suddenly, as if in recognition. Kagome saw the terrible way Botan's eyes seemed older now, as if a thousand lives had been forced upon her. Kagome wondered if perhaps they had.

"Stupid arrogant foolish moron." Kagome muttered under her breath. Botan's lips twitched and then she smiled slyly, a look that put relieved faces on the other two girls.

"Which one? I know which one I'd be talking about, but I'm sure I missed a lot, and I certainly know who your thoughts have been about most of the time we've been here." Kagome's face flushed but her expression darkened.

"Yusuke of course. He accused me of trying to kill Hiei. Hurt yes, kill, never. So stupid!" Due to the lack of gender on the last part of the sentence, the other three girls weren't sure exactly whom the stupid part was referring to, but suddenly two small paws tugged on Kagome's shirt.

Automatically, before she even looked, Kagome opened her arms. Shippo jumped up, but this time he was there to give comfort to her, not receive it. Shippo winced as Kagome held on to his tail a bit too tightly, but she quickly let go and smoothed down the fur. He nuzzled into her throat and he felt some of her muscles relax at the soothing gesture.

Botan grinned at Shippo, pushing the awful memories of her other life to the back of her mind. She would take time go through it for information later. Now she knew a few more things she had only guessed before. Along with unlocking her memories, a new part of her that had been waiting had come up. The Prophecy was being put in motion. Now she was the Prophet, and only one other alive knew the full prophecy. Botan shuddered at the thought. She hadn't wanted to get away from all the death and had been instead been thrown into the middle of a prophecy about the object causing it. But, she could not abandon her friends, and one of the girls was Guardian.

"You already know my take on all boys are stupid. After Miroku, I'm not really one to trust them, and Yusuke definitely jumped to conclusions, but..." Sango trailed off, not wanting to offend her friends.

"But you have this feeling we need them. And we will. I just wish we could trust them, I thought, maybe, that we could have, that I could tell at least Yusuke. Looks like I'm still that naive little girl, huh Kikyou?" Kagome's smile was bitter and Kikyou's heart went out to her younger sister.

"No, he was looking out for his teammate. Perhaps you trust too easily, but maybe eventually we can all learnt to trust each other and all can know of our burden." Kikyou sighed at Sango's confused look. "But first, we must trust each other. We all have secrets, and it's time Kagome and I told the largest of ours. Perhaps later others can be shared."

"Yes, trust will be necessary if we want to live. The Prophecies will come to pass, and we must trust each other if we want to live," Botan said quietly.

Shippo lifted his head and stared at Botan fearfully. "Prophecies... Daddy didn't like those. Said no son of his was going to be in danger like that. Why'd he say that?"

"What are these Prophecies? What secret are you two talking about?" Sango looked frantically around as Botan sent a pained expression towards Shippo.

"Sorry little Maker, but destiny can't always be denied." Botan gave a small smile, more for the kitsune's benefit than any true feeling behind it.

Kagome and Kikyou exchanged glances and motioned for everyone to sit down. Kagome folded her legs and settled Shippo in her lap. "Our secret has to do majorly with our mission. Half of our mission was done years before we received it. I am the Guardian of the Shikon no Tama."

As Kagome spoke she reached around her neck and pulled up the chain to show a perfectly round pink sphere. It shone in Kagome's hand, the pink color a light tone, much lighter than legends had sometimes described the destructive jewel.

"I don't feel any energy from it. You guys have to be joking, right? You guys wouldn't ever keep something like this from me." Sango's pleading look was unheeded, as no comfort could be had from the two equally quiet and blank siblings. Shippo stared at the jewel in wonder. He didn't mind that much. If Kagome could guard the Shikon no Tama, she certainly wouldn't have any trouble keeping him safe, right?

Kagome attempted to smile comfortingly. It didn't work and she sighed, her eyes closing to push away the picture of her friends doubting face. "I'm sorry Sango, but it's true. I'll show you."

Kikyou didn't have time to shout a warning as she felt the boys' aura's drawing near. Her sister was already unraveling the shield on the jewel for Sango to see. When it was released, the song seemed to sing it's freedom, and the boys at the edge of the clearing all stopped in the same instant, staring at the four girls and kitsune child.

Inuyasha rolled his eyes at Kagome's panicked expression. She exchanged a glance with Kikyou. He almost chuckled when he heard her mutter, "Oops," to her sister. Here they were, coming back to make amends and Kagome picked the perfect time to take out the jewel.

Inuyasha suddenly frowned. Wait a second, "What the hell? I thought you were the Guardian!" One of Inuyasha's clawed fingers pointed accusingly at Kikyou. Her cold and aloof facade was put on and she sniffed.

"You assume too much Inuyasha."

Yusuke shuddered at the power emanating from the jewel and turned to his companions. "Some one say that's not what I think it is."

Kurama looked up, his gaze drawn from the jewel by Yusuke's outburst. His newly golden eye color was all the answer Yusuke needed. "Sorry Yusuke. But that's the Shikon no Tama. At least we know what our 'friend' was keeping from us now."

The uncharacteristic sneer laced into his tone showed exactly how much control over his Youko aspects Kurama had with the jewel nearby. Yusuke sighed and led the way to the girls. Surprisingly considering the way the jewel drew demons to it, Hiei hung back to the rear. Of course, that could have had to do with the barely perceptible flinch Botan had given upon seeing Hiei.

Kagome shifted her weight nervously as the boys approached and after briefly seeing the varying degrees of anger on their faces; she looked towards the ground.

Kurama was the first to speak, his eyes still having flashes of Youko's golden color. "Excuse me, but that is the Shikon no Tama correct? When did you find that? Perhaps only recently?"

Kurama was intentionally allowing them a way out before things got out of hand, hoping that it was the truth. Kagome even seemed to be considering taking it. Inuyasha decided it was time to clear things up. His promise was null and void now that they had revealed they had it.

"That's bullshit Kurama. One of them has been the Guardian since their father left. You know, I never really thought about which parent wasn't the real one. I guess I know now. The jewel can only be paused down through the bloodlines. Kagome's had it since she was a little girl. Almost a decade now if I have the damn timelines right. And I do, don't I mikos?" Inuyasha smirked, enjoying the revenge he was getting, though he couldn't help feel a pang of guilt as Kikyou caught her breath. Kagome only briefly looked at him, but that was enough to make him wish he hadn't said things so harshly.

"A whole decade? And you didn't see fit to tell us that the damn jewel we've been looking for has been right under our noses the whole fuckin' time? You stupid-" Yusuke was surprised when a spark of anger appeared in Kagome's eyes and she cut him off.

"It was my duty to keep it a secret. I promised, as many have before me, to keep it a secret unless absolutely necessary. It was necessary now to show Sango." Kagome lifted her chin, determined to accept the insults as long as she knew she had done it out of necessity.

Yusuke didn't much care about the reasons right now, he was angry enough to rip her to shreds. That jewel was the whole reason for their mission. "Necessary? Who was it who thought it was necessary to be able to trust us and said she couldn't back in the woods? You, you damn hypocrite."

Yusuke glared at her before taking a step forward, hand reaching for the jewel. A slim, pale and feminine hand reached forward to hold his wrist in a surprising strong grip. Yusuke was startled to see Kikyou holding him back. "It is hers to hold. If you take it, she will not be able to hide it from demons as she has been doing. I suggest you do no take it."

"Now who's jumping to conclusions? I just wanted to hold it." The two began to glare at each other when Kagome moved to break it, carefully placing the Shikon Jewel in Yusuke's outstretched hand. For an instant, both were touching it, and Yusuke heard Kagome gasp. There was power there, more power than he had felt. That was only the surface power, pure strength. This, this must be where the wishes came from. This power could be used for anything. It was raw and it whispered that he was the one who could control it. Then Kagome jerked her hand away.

Yusuke almost choked now, for as soon as she did the feeling faded and all he felt was the normal power that most demons felt. It baited him to add it's power to his own, but after feeling the real power inside the Shikon no Tama, this held no attraction to him. He could see why most demons wanted it, but he was sure none had seen beyond the surface power. Except perhaps Resurga, who had used it in the beginning knew, before it had been truly finished, but even he would probably be surprised by it.

Yusuke held out his hand and dropped the jewel back into her hand, seeing the wide-eyed look that had appeared on her face at whatever the jewel had just done. "Wow... Damn." He searched Kagome's face and found her face confused to, but he couldn't be sure if that was faked or not. He blinked as another emotion flickered in her eyes. Fear. "Damn," he repeated quietly, but there was no wonder in it this time.

Kurama felt the power suddenly disappear and the jewel's seductive song was wrapped up in a shield. Both parts of him felt relieved and he acknowledged the girl was a good Guardian. He was left to wonder why the jewel had glowed so brightly when both Kagome and Yusuke were touching it, but when only one touched it, the jewel simply shone like it always did.

Inside Kurama, the part of him that was still a thief was howling for him to ignore the jewel's curious reaction and steal it before it was too late. He ignored it, pushing that part of Youko far from his consciousness.

"What was that? Why did the jewel begin glowing?" Sango was the first one to voice the question everyone one was wondering. Slowly eight pairs of eyes turned to Kagome. Shippo, who as still sitting in her lap, was the first to notice the shaken look on Kagome's face. She didn't even appear to have heard the question.

Kagome slowly put the chain back where it belonged, the jewel hidden under her clothing. Her hands trembled slightly and she was sure her eyes probably had that wild-eyed look that even Kikyou had only seen twice. One of the other times also having to with the jewel.

The Shikon no Tama had just opened itself. It couldn't do that. It shouldn't have done that. Yusuke could have done anything with it. The Shikon no Tama was powerful normally, but that was adding to the physical strength. A demon did not automatically become smarter or be able to shape worlds. Once in awhile wishes could be pulled from it, especially from the Guardians, but that was nothing like what the Shikon was showing when she and Yusuke had both touched it. At the edge of her awareness she heard a concerned voice. Only when Shippo carefully placed on paw on her did she realize that they'd asked a question.

"What? Oh, t-that. I don't really know. It was strange. The jewel..." Kagome trailed off, not sure how to explain it. She wasn't sure if she could. She didn't know why, or even all of what she'd felt when it the power had shown itself.

Yusuke was eyeing her suspiciously, as if doubting her statement. Considering the recent events, she couldn't blame him, and she hadn't told the whole the whole truth then either. Hiei's eyes seemed to be glowing slightly, and Kurama's eyes had returned to their natural green, but flashes of gold appeared randomly amongst the green as he struggled to control the demon inside him.

Inuyasha had sat down next to Kikyou, looking slightly stunned. The ease that Kagome had woven the shield had stunned him more than anything else had. He had always thought, that even with Kagome's new strength, Kikyou was the better miko. But after the shield had been set, he couldn't even feel it. Not the shield, or the Shikon no Tama.

Sango was silent; trying to come to grips with the secret her friends had been keeping. Kikyou wanted to comfort her, but she was more worried about the look on her younger sister's face right now. Her sister was afraid. And Kikyou wanted to know why.

Kagome suddenly rose, handing Shippo absently over to Yusuke. She looked around at everyone, who were all kneeling or sitting now and gave a wan smile. "Excuse me." Then she began to walk off, the calm strides too calm and her whole body seemed to radiate nervousness and confusion. And when this was about the Shikon no Tama, that also included fear.

Botan studied Yusuke and then turned to watch Kagome's retreating back. She scowled briefly, then shook her head. She gave a small smile. It would work out ok. It had to. The Prophecies were already being set in motion. And now, before they could move any farther, it would depend on Kagome and Yusuke figuring out what had happened. They had to, or Resurga would not win. And that was not a pretty future.

-------------------

Questions/Things to address:

The Yusuke demon/human subject, mostly to Winged Knight: He doesn't become a demon until later in the series. He only has a bit of demon blood in him, but in a very dangerous fight it gets awakened and takes over his body. Then, Raizen being his great ancestor, was the one who 'fathered' his genetics, and Raizen then became his father, instead of his way distant ancestor, because now he was a Toushin. Confused? So was I. Go search for Yuu Yuu Hakusho Realms for better information on everything. If you don't want to search for it, it should be in one of the parts about demons, especially S-level ones, search for the word majin, which is a human who became a demon because he was descended from one of the Toushin's, but kept his human powers. At least, that's all the reliable info I can get about it. It's possible I'm wrong, but that's what I'm going for now. After all, wouldn't have someone have sensed he was a demon earlier? So, right now, he's not a demon yet.

Thanks to everyone else who reviewed: Eris Goddess of Chaos, Fire Kitsune Goddess, Hokuikai the Star of the Sea, Arcia, blazingsunstar, and SilverKnight7.