Author's Note: This took awhile. I coudn't end it for some reason, so the last couple of pages I'm not really satisfied with it. Still, I hope most of you enjoy it, as many of you simply like to read it, but if any of you want to give me advice on anything with this, go ahead. I need it, because the story is being awful stubborn.

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

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Chapter 8 -- Overwhelmed

The campsite was still silent a day after the Shikon no Tama had been revealed. Kikyou and Inuyasha seemed to be the only two talking at all, and even that was rare do to the tense atmosphere. Sango was frequently seen training at one edge of the camp, glaring at anyone who came near. Kurama frequently ventured into the forest, mumbling the excuse of looking for new weapons.

Botan seemed almost normal, and for a few hours, Hiei had thought that the memories hadn't affected her at all. Until she'd wandered off into the forest. When he'd followed, she was sobbing her heart out to the forest floor. Hesitantly, the fire apparition had walked towards her. Except she'd flinched away from him. He had narrowed his eyes and jumped away, angry for no apparent reason.

Yusuke sighed, studying the occupants of the camp. He himself had been sitting against a tree most of the day. He was trying to keep in sight. Shippo was helping him. Though how falling asleep was helping Yusuke it was hard to understand. Yusuke knew where almost everyone else. Except for the girl he most needed to talk to. Kagome hadn't been around since this morning. Even last night she'd crept in late, slept a few hours to let everyone know she was all right, and crept out. At least, that was the impression Yusuke got from the very brief conversation he had had with Kikyou.

She also seemed to be shielding herself, as he couldn't sense her anywhere. But it was frustrating. And once in awhile, he swore he got flashes of fear that went through him, but he knew they weren't his. Kagome, through the whole time they had been on the planet, rarely showed fear, especially not in the degrees he was feeling now. And he was sure it was her.

Finally, fed up with the odd feelings in his system and annoyed that she was apparently avoiding everyone, he went to go see his egg. Yusuke snorted, kicking the odd rock that got in his way as he walked. Even Sango had stayed in sight. But no, the little traitorous Guardian had to go and sulk by herself.

Yusuke eyed the eggs as he entered the clearing. They were much larger now. His golden green egg was one of the largest. Kagome was around the same, but he was pretty sure his was larger. Of course, they were probably all pretty close to hatching. He put one hand on the egg and grimaced at the lurching feeling he got as the energy left his body and entered the egg. Then, surprisingly, he began to talk to the egg, apparently not noticing when something moved out of the corner of his eye. "Some stuff happened yesterday egg. Basically everyone got mad at each other. It was pretty stupid, but that's what happens when people keep secrets."

Kagome had been surprised to see Yusuke stride into the clearing, and had quickly ducked down behind her large dark blue egg. Her eyes widened when she heard Yusuke begin to speak to it. She would have giggled if she weren't so depressed over the jewel. And confused about what was happening. And above all, afraid of what was going on with it. Still, he was talking to the egg, and she felt a half smile grace her lips affectionately.

Deciding she would have to go somewhere else to be alone, she slowly began to slink away in another direction, blue eyes widening fractionally when he began to talk again.

"And then of course, I've been looking for Kagome. But apparently--" he stopped, spinning around and his arms grabbing Kagome across the waist and beneath her chest as she stood frozen, tensing to run. "--she's been avoiding everyone."

Kagome winced at the tone, then almost gasped as she felt the anger rolling off him in waves. Then she began struggling. He held firm no matter what she did, but when her elbow went into his gut he hissed slightly. She was female, small, and looked innocent, but she had definitely taken to training well. "Stop! That hurts, damn it!"

"Then let me go!" Kagome yelled back, trying it again. She wasn't able to this time as the arms under her chest locked around her arms too. She howled with frustration.

"No way in hell. I want answers. What the hell was that?" Yusuke kept his grip tight as she jerked around. The fear was rolling off her in waves, and he desperately hoped it was still of the jewel.

Kagome sighed and stopped struggling. This was getting her no where. She let herself lean back into him wearily. She could feel his shock at the action. She was tired, mentally and physically, and if he was going to keep her here anyway, she might as well get as much comfort from the fact as she could. She could fell the suspicion to, but nonetheless his arms loosened up and he let her arms go free.

"What was what?" she asked curiously.

Yusuke frowned at the question, but he was even more curious about how he was feeling some of what she was. He knew she was tired. Really tired. He could feel it. And it was odd. "You know. The glowing! What was with that?"

Yusuke glared at her angrily as she stiffened and began trying to remove his arms. Apparently this wasn't something she wanted to talk about. He tightened his grip again. "Kagome! Just answer the question and stop being so damn stubborn!"

"I don't know! I mean, I mean, I know what basically happened, but the glowing, and it opening itself, that shouldn't have happened! It's not supposed to! Wishes once in awhile, but that? I don't know, Yusuke!" Yusuke's eyes widened at the pure fear radiating from her and quickly pulled them both down, letting her go and turning her to face him. Worried brown eyes looked into fearful blue ones. What was worse was that he could feel the amount of fear she was feeling. He had to wonder what kind of pain the jewel had caused for her to fear it so.

"Calm down Kagome. Whatever else, it only happened when we both touched the jewel, right? So we just don't touch it at the same time anymore. Besides that, everything is all right, right? Everyone a bit mad, ok a lot mad, and you kept a major secret but..." Yusuke stopped a bit late, realizing he should have stopped after his third sentence. He panicked slightly as she flinched. How the hell was he supposed to help her?

Kagome suddenly laughed, after she flinched, she realized he was as confused as she was. She could practically feel it. Or maybe she even could. Like she could feel him panicking a bit. "Yusuke, it's all right, I'll be ok, don't panic, I can take care of myself."

Kagome wondered what she'd said wrong when his eyes narrowed. "Who said I was panicked?" He knew she had actually felt it. Like he was feeling some of her emotions. Now he wanted to know why, and how he could get rid of it.

"I...felt it," she said softly, her voice filled with awe. Kagome stared at Yusuke and he stared back, both racing to think of why this was happening. Yusuke finally settled on this probably had something to do with the multiple times damned jewel, and was about to say something when his own egg interrupted him with a loud crack.

Two pairs of eyes, one blue, one brown, settled on the golden green egg, and then on the dark blue on as that one soon followed and began cracking and rocking like Yusuke's. "What the hell?" Yusuke asked suspiciously.

"They're hatching stupid!" Kagome yelled in glee, practically dancing as she got to her feet and watched their eggs crack and little bits of light seemed to show through the cracks. Then Yusuke's egg actually tolled itself over and a flash of blue light blinded them. The exact blue of Yusuke's spirit energy.

As their vision cleared, Kagome gasped and gave a little squeak. "It's adorable! Look at the wings!" Yusuke glared at her before turning to study the creature. Adorable, nothing of his could possibly be...Oh hell, she was right!

It looked oddly like a horse. Yusuke remembered Kurama reviewing the material one-day and mentioning four body types. Hadn't one been horse? Great. The others had all been predator-like if he remembered. Nope, he got the cuddly looking horse-creature with wings and a horn.

Yusuke blinked. A horn? A pretty sharp one. This was looking like it had come from one of those myths right about now. It was also a dark blue color, not all like the golden green of his egg. In fact, it was the shade of Kagome's presently still rocking egg.

"What the hell is this? How is a creature that looks like it came from a fairy tale useful?" Kagome glared at him, about to say something about swearing in front of the newborn when Yusuke's eyes practically bugged out. "It just fucking spoke in my head!"

Kagome's mouth snapped close in surprise but she was saved from having to attempt to reply by her own egg suddenly flashing the pink shade of her miko powers. When it once again cleared, another horse shaped Ancient lay there. Unlike the last one, this one was light blue, and definitely didn't have wings. Besides the light blue color, it appeared almost normal. "Oh! This ones mine!"

She ran to it, her hand reaching out her hand to pet it. She froze within an inch of its head as it yawned; it's oddly lithe legs stretching out a bit. It was a bit less normal than she thought. The legs had claws at the end, and fangs glimmered inside the mouth that should have held flat teeth. Her hand pulled back and the creature gave a strange sound, between a whine and a neigh. Then it spoke.

*Does my appearance offend you? I'm sorry Kagome.* Kagome gasped at the soft, childish voice, which also sounded mature in a confusing sort of way. At the same time, she felt something jerk, and where a second ago she had felt Yusuke's confusion and wariness, now she felt nothing. Still, she couldn't focus on that because of the odd hurt that had sounded in its little girl like voice. She immediately apologized to it. She didn't bother asking how it knew her name. It was, after all, linked to her.

"It's all right. You just surprised me is all. Do you have a name or do I have to name you?" Kagome smiled as the creature attempted to stand, falling back as its newborn legs refused to stand.

*I am Tairi. We are born with names. You may change it if you like,* Tairi offered softly. Kagome shook her head. "That's all right. it's a nice name."

*I have a name to, Guardian. Would you like to hear it?* Another voice entered her head teasingly and Kagome's eyes widened in shock as she stared at Yusuke's winged creature.

"His name is Elako," Yusuke said while smirking at the small Ancient. Yusuke felt the disappointment course through the horse look alike. Apparently he had wanted to play. He hid his shock that he and Kagome could hear each other's creature's. Weren't they only supposed to hear one? The one they were bonded too? Yusuke resisted sighing, watching as Kagome settled herself between both Ancients and patted them soothingly. Yusuke glared at Elako. Elako's snicker sounded in his head.

*You're pretty clever for a newborn,* Yusuke thought accusingly at the Ancient. Elako was silent, and Yusuke was startled to feel that the newborn was troubled. So was Tairi.

*It is odd. We should no be so coherent. There is something strange going on here,* the female thought to Yusuke and Kagome. Kagome frowned, then one hand moved to the jewel under her shirt and she looked at Yusuke.

"Side effects of the jewel?" She questioned hesitantly.

"Probably. Damn jewel, it even messes up newborn... whatever they are." Kagome rolled her eyes. "Ancients is the only name they have. Aren't they supposed to have a race memory? Maybe they'll know the real name when they get older. And really, if you want to get technical, it was us who did this, not the jewel. We both touched it."

Yusuke scowled at her, not liking the implications that this was partly his fault, then smoothly changed the subject as he frowned at the still laying creatures. "Hey, aren't horses supposed to be able to stand after they're born? I read that somewhere."

Kagome pretended to look shocked. "You? Read? I think I'm going to have a heart attack."

Yusuke glared at her. "Not funny."

Elako brought the attention from their argument to him by attempting to do what Yusuke wanted. His legs writhed and finally got underneath the creature, attempting to bring it a bit higher off the ground. The creature had one other thing keeping it off balance. His wings flailed around uselessly, attempting to help him up, but doing quite the opposite.

"Careful!" Kagome cried when the little creature almost toppled sideways. She put her hands to one side, keeping Elako straight. To her relief, he managed to stay standing, balancing himself slowly. That was when, with shock, she saw his eyes. They were the exact same shade of blue Tairi's fur was. She quickly glanced over to Tairi. Tairi's eyes were the exact shade of Elako's fur. Kagome groaned.

*Thank you Guardian. Is this better Yusuke?* Elako asked, apparently not noticing Kagome's new discovery.

"Much. If you're going to look 'adorable', I'd like you to be standing while being adorable. Hey, maybe you can attract some girls for me." Elako apparently didn't understand, but by the sudden flash in Kagome's eyes, Yusuke's goal had succeeded. He barely managed not to smirk.

Three pairs of eyes snapped to Tairi as she to began to struggle to her feet. Yusuke's jaw dropped as his gaze traveled to the bottom of her leg. "That thing has claws!"

Kagome chuckled, grinning at the swaying Tairi, and two more voices sounded off giggles in the two humans' heads. "Obviously she has claws. I get the evil looking one and you get the cute one. Hey, boys like violent things, maybe I can attract a boyfriend with her, what do you think Yusuke?"

Kagome smiled sweetly, apparently not noticing that Yusuke didn't like this idea. "Weren't we talking about something else, like a certain jewel, before they hatched?" Yusuke diverted the subject back to its original form with an angry glare.

Kagome sighed, but brightened up when another aura began approaching. The only other one who knew she was here. Kagome's beaming smile was met with a similar one as a small bundle jumped into her arms. "Hi Shippo!"

"Hi Kagome!" Shippo was about to snuggle into Kagome when he paused and looked down, seeing a long head peering up at him. Shippo blinked and looked down. It had claws. It seemed to be barely standing. Shippo looked around, and now seeing only seven eggs in the clearing, came to a conclusion.

"It ate the eggs! Quick, keep it away, it might eat more!" Tairi stumbled backwards and Kagome held Shippo tightly, frowning down at him.

"No, Shippo, it was an egg. It's one of them." Shippo stopped moving for a moment and smiled ruefully.

"Oh. What's its name?" Shippo asked. Tairi took a few wobbling steps and reached up, her muzzle only getting within a foot of Shippo. He jumped down.

*Tell him my name is Tairi. He has another of our kind in an egg too, right?* Tairi and Shippo stared at each other nervously before Shippo reached out slowly to touch her light blue fur. Tairi leaned into the touch.

"Her name is Tairi, Shippo."

"And incase anyone was wondering, he's Elako," Yusuke said to the air, as apparently neither one was paying him any attention.

"I want mine to hatch soon too!" Kagome, Yusuke, and their new creatures watched as Shippo bounded along, and then Kagome slowly began to walk back to the camp.

"We should tell them ours hatched," Kagome said. The two Ancients walked behind them, Shippo bounding around in between them.

Yusuke shrugged. "I think they'll be able to tell themselves." He was silent a moment, then he spoke again, the anger from earlier clearly showing in his eyes. "You could have trusted me. If you hadn't wanted me to tell, I could have kept it a secret. You put everyone in danger when only you and Kikyou knew."

Yusuke refused to mention that if he had kept such a secret, he would have lost his teammates trust, as Inuyasha had been losing his. He watched Kagome wince and look away from him. "I'm its Guardian. I can't tell people, usually. Especially when there are three of demon blood around. one who tried to get the Shikon no Tama before."

Yusuke was startled from his anger. She knew about Kurama? That was impossible. Yusuke eyed her in curiosity. "Who?"

"Inuyasha," she said quietly, and Yusuke caught the ragged edges of hurt in her voice. He'd known the hanyou was lying, but he'd actually tried to take the jewel? No wonder she hadn't trusted them. On the other hand, they'd just been beginning to form bonds of trust, friendship, and in his case with one little miko, hopefully more. Though the chances of that were shot to hell now.

Yusuke scowled, and kept walking, the overall warning language of his body telling her not to even try to speak to him. They walked back to camp in silence.

The silence was intruded upon as they got nearer to camp, hearing almost all of their companions yelling, even Kikyou. And two more voices added into the mix, one familiar to Yusuke, and the other familiar to Kagome. Kagome, upon hearing the voice, began to run.

Yusuke was startled for an instant, then rolled his eyes and sprinted after her. Tairi, despite newborn legs, somehow managed to get ahead of him. He scowled. "Damn females. Rush right into danger and get yourselves killed why don't you?" He muttered under his breath.

*It's nothing to worry about. Kagome just heard the voice of an old friend. Apparently she was very close to him when they were younger. At least, that's what Tairi is saying to me.* Yusuke scowled at the commentary.

"Wait, what do you mean by 'close'? And how come I can't hear her right now?" Yusuke stopped running and glared at Elako. Shippo looked confused, and bounded ahead, away from the apparently crazy human boy.

*You can't hear us when we talk to each other. Only when we direct it towards you or Kagome, or to one of us and one of you. And that's all Tairi said. Why?* Elako's curious light blue eyes stared into Yusuke's brown ones. Yusuke scowled again. Elako radiated innocence, but that was hard to believe when you could feel the mischief inside of him.

Yusuke finally made it to the clearing, ignoring Elako's mental sniggers. Yusuke sucked in a breath at what he saw. He wasn't quite sure what was going on. There was Keiko, his ex-girlfriend, who he'd recognized by voice. Sango was being held back, or looked like she had been, by Kikyou and Botan. Kurama's eyes were gold and focused on Keiko. He was angry with her.

It was the other new male in the clearing and Kagome that shocked him. The boy was on the ground, wincing as he rubbed his red cheek. An exasperated Kagome was fighting off a smile as she stood above the fallen teenager. "You haven't changed. Pervert."

"Two-timer," Sango added maliciously.

"Idiot," Kikyou said with a sigh. The male rubbed his head, sitting up and wincing at the insults.

"Jerk," Botan added angrily at last.

The boy grinned at them all, moving to get up while avoiding Sango's eyes. Keiko moved forward. Inuyasha and Kurama both growled at her. She stopped and sighed. The teenage boy frowned, then his eyes landed on Inuyasha. The violet eyed teen stood up suddenly and glared. "Inuyasha. You're someone I didn't expect to see again. Ever. I'd hoped you'd have been killed by now."

A shock ran through everyone, and Yusuke glanced over to see Kagome biting her lip and exchanging a glance with Kikyou. Kikyou nodded and turned towards the boys. "Miroku, Inuyasha has changed a bit. It's been two years since we've seen him. I think we can give him the benefit of the doubt."

"Right. Sure. I'll just up and forgive him for three days of hell while Kagome was balanced between life and death because he wanted the damn jewel." Miroku's eyes were storming angrily, and Inuyasha bravely took a step forward, trying to make piece. Keiko let out a warning cry before Miroku took out a piece of foot long wooden looking material that soon expanded, crashing into Inuyasha's stomach as it reached its five-foot length.

"Miroku! Stop! I don't know how you know Inuyasha, or what you're talking about, but-" Keiko stopped short at the fury in Miroku's eyes.

"Stop? The murdering little bastard. He almost killed my best friend!" Kagome tried to pull Miroku back. Everyone else was standing in shock as Miroku wheeled to face Keiko. Kikyou was kneeling beside the fallen Inuyasha. he seemed more dazed than hurt, and getting angry.

"Like hell, she wasn't the only one almost killed, she wasn't exactly defenseless! I was practically purified!"

"Practically wasn't good enough. She actually went flat line once hanyou. You didn't even need medical attention." Miroku's cold and unforgiving gaze was glaring into Inuyasha's golden one. Inuyasha looked away first.

"Stop this. Both of you. What's done is done Miroku. Kikyou believes in him. Isn't that enough?" Kagome asked seriously.

"Do you believe in him, Kagome?" Miroku's question hung in the air and Kagome looked down. Kikyou studied her sister, her gaze pleading though she knew her sister couldn't see it. Inuyasha glanced around and saw Keiko looking on in confusion.

"What is going on here, Miroku? How do you know Inuyasha? You told me about those girls you knew, but what does Inuyasha have to do with it?" Keiko's answer was more silence as Miroku continued to silently gaze at Kagome, his eyes demanding an answer from her.

"I believe in his team. I don't believe in all of the individuals, and I don't trust each of them as individuals. But I trust them as a whole. If it came down to it, I would place my life with them, even Inuyasha." Kagome's tone was final and Botan's head jerked up, staring at her friend. Botan smiled, seeing Kikyou do the same, but for a different reason. She trusted them. Things might actually turn out all right.

Miroku studied her for a moment, then grinned and shrugged. "All right then. If you trust them, I trust them."

Keiko's eyes narrowed behind him, eyeing Kagome as Yusuke did the same to Miroku. Keiko glanced at the other's, and saw a couple of the boys doing similar things, but without the same light that was in Keiko's eyes. Miroku hadn't said he was this close to the miko, close enough to simply step back after being so angry.

"Wait," Yusuke said suddenly. "You mentioned the jewel. You know about it?"

Miroku looked slightly amused. "I wondered about the tension in the group. Well, besides the tension I and Keiko were causing. Apparently we aren't well liked here. I can't imagine why." As Miroku turned to talk to Yusuke, Kagome rolled her eyes. He just had to be sarcastic.

"As for the question, I've known about it since Kagome became Guardian. Actually, a bit before. I knew her father was Guardian before she did. It wasn't hard to figure out. Especially about the odd reports that sometimes came about him from the other neighbors. Gossip was, and still is I imagine, a major past time of our neighborhood. It was the wish he made that did it." Miroku's eyes flickered to Kikyou, who in turn stared at Botan. Botan winced, then shrugged.

"I'm missing something now. The whole neighborhood knew? What wish?" Kagome felt a tingle of fear run up her spine. She knew about the wishes that Guardians could make, she just hadn't thought that her father had used one.

"No, the whole neighborhood didn't know, I just put it together because I knew your family, and I was in the bushes when Kikyou drowned," Miroku said, his tone softening as he looked around the group.

"Died?" Kagome asked, her eyes wide. Her gaze flickered to her sister, then to Botan, wondering what she had to do with it, as she was looking guilty.

"You know, for such a tight-knit group, you girls certainly have a lot of secrets, even from each other," Yusuke remarked. Inuyasha growled at him, but it was too late, as Sango had jerked to her feet and stomped back towards her tent, remembering what her friends hadn't told her, and wanting to get away from Miroku and the memories he carried with him.

Kikyou glared at him as Kagome stood up and walked off. It turned to surprise as a small horse-like creature trotted after her. A blue horse that had claws and fangs. How odd. "What was that?"

"What? Oh, our eggs hatched." Yusuke paused as a few faces gaped at him, then Elako stepped out from the underbrush. Yusuke winced at the coos from all four of the leftover girls. For some reason, when they all went to touch him, Elako shied away from Keiko.

"Smart horse, knows when not to trust someone," Inuyasha muttered nastily. Miroku shot a glare at him, and the half-demon straightened, claws flexing. Keiko laid a hand on Miroku's arm and pulled him back.

"Why don't we all calm down. I know none of you boys like me, and apparently the girls don't like Miroku, but we have to explain why we're here." That said, she pulled out a jacket made of dark purple material. On it's collar was a pin shaped like a comet. Miroku did the same, pulling a jacket out of his bag nearby, flipping the collar to show the same thing.

"Comets. Figures, the only group that goes to the battlefield that can be called coward," Sango said, eyeing Miroku coldly. Both of the two Comets stiffened, and Botan quickly headed off a confrontation.

"Did any of the other eggs look like they were going to hatch? And I hope they all don't look like horses. He doesn't exactly look like a formidable ally." Elako snorted at the comment.

*What's wrong with how I look? I'll show her, when I'm bigger I'll outdo whatever her egg turns out to be!* There was a pause, then Elako looked about. *Can I go play with Tairi? The Guardian says its ok.*

"Sure, Elako. Go ahead," Yusuke said out loud, not noticing the stares he was getting from the others, especially when the horse look-alike neighed and actually trotted off in the general direction Kagome had gone.

"That was interesting. Now, does anyone actually want to know why we're here, or should we just pass out some more insults?" Miroku smiled pleasantly, his temper under control once again. Kikyou sighed and sat down against a tree, the other two girls sitting on either side.

"Good! Keiko, why don't you explain to everybody. Bye!" Keiko was left with seven teenagers staring at her as Miroku strode off in Kagome's direction. Waiting for an explanation. She sighed, but plastered on a smile and tensed herself for dealing with the most stubborn beings that the universe could provide.

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andrea10 : I'm glad you loved it, feel free to review some more, and here's an update.

blazingsunstar: Thanks.

Lifeless-Kanna: Ok. Review again!

SilverKnight7: Have done so! Review again!

Hokuikai: Thanks. Here's an update that took a bit longer than expected.

Winged Knight: Setting plot, huh? Maybe, though this chapter didn't go as well. Ah well, I got all the major things in. I'll fix it up next chapter a bit, so things will be a bit more clearer. Especially on why people would be mad at Keiko or Miroku. As for the Jewel... Nope, but that's a very good guess. Well, it's a bit true, but just remember that everything ties into the Prophecy. I should write that down sometime a bit better.