Disclaimer: (Haven't done one of these in a while…) Inu Yasha and Yu Yu Hakusho are the property of Rumiko Takahashi and Yoshihiro Togashi, respectively. This story reflects upon the eventual plots of either series.
. : Muichimotsu : .
: . By Akikazu . :
. : Chapter Twenty Four : .
"Welcome back Kurama," Kagome chimed from the bed.
"Hello, I've brought some visitors," Kurama murmured.
He scanned the room taking in Itsuki's presence on the bed and Hiei's in the corner before smiling calmly at Kagome. He ushered Shizuru and Yukina in the room, they both stood near the door, unsure of what they were supposed to do.
"Kagome, these two ladies are Yukina and Kuwabara Shizuru. Ladies this is Kagome, our hostess. Yukina, the man next to Kagome is Itsuki, he's the one that's injured."
Yukina nodded and stepped towards the bed, approaching Itsuki slowly as his expression was far from inviting. Shizuru took up the seat that Yusuke had left vacant. Kagome smiled warmly at the koorime (ice maiden) and patted Itsuki's arm, silently ordering him to calm down. Yukina appeared to be such a sweat girl.
"It's nice to meet you Yukina, I regret not being in the condition to speak with you earlier. I hope coming over to care for our injuries isn't too much of a hassle."
"Not at all. I'm glad I could help," Yukina replied. She glanced at Itsuki's face, "where are your injuries?"
Itsuki huffed and Kagome knew from his body langue that he would neither hinder nor help the situation. She pinched his arm before answering for him.
"Besides the obvious beating his face took, Kurama believe that he has several cracked and broken ribs. I've bound them but I'm afraid that my ability to doctor injuries is mediocre at best."
"I see. I'll have to leave the bruises as they are, I don't have enough energy to fix your ribs on top of all the other injuries I've treated today. I'm just going to have to make a quick examination of your ribs first," Yukina said bowing low in order to see the bindings that wrapped his torso.
"Other injuries," Kagome mused before glancing at Hiei's blood specked attire, "I don't suppose that you were one of the injured Hiei. How did your dispute with Yusuke end anyways?"
"A standstill," Kurama answered.
"A friendly standstill or a 'if I die your going with me' standstill?" Kagome couldn't help but asked.
"By the time the ladies and I intruded, both had several injured and Hiei was seconds away from cutting Yusuke's head off and getting his intestines blown apart in the process," Kurama replied.
Kagome shuddered at the graphic images and gave Hiei a hooded look. She then looked back in Kurama and Shizuru's direction. Shizuru look very closed off but her aura was strong and kind, it was pleasant feeling. Kurama had a similar, tingling effect on her aura as usual and she met his eyes without hesitation.
"You're trip was without trouble?"
"Yes, Kosui is a very talented driver, we encounter no traffic at all," Kurama replied.
"He is, Sesshomaru doesn't really trust him though, seeing as he hasn't come into ranks till a couple of years ago." Kagome looked at Shizuru. "You're Kuwabara's sister, right?"
The subject was changed so suddenly that it caught Shizuru off balance.
"Yeah," her answer was short but far from harsh sounding.
"I have a little brother too, but he's staying at Sesshomaru's with the rest of my family. I hope that I haven't inconvenienced you or your family by requiring your protection of your brother and friends."
"It's really no problem, if it's not one thing it's another. At least this way we all get to stay in this mansion," Shizuru shrugged.
"It is a very nice house, isn't it?" Kagome's nose wrinkled. "It's way to empty, however. Though I suppose that 'empty' no longer applies since everyone is staying here." She glance behind her, "Itsuki remind me to assign rooms for everyone before dusk."
A hiss caused by the slightly painful refitting of his bones escaped the yaminade (demon that can move freely between dimensions) before he bit out a retort.
"Am I your secretary, then?"
She shrugged and motioned for Hiei to come to her side, "maybe."
Hiei stood next to her and she bent her finger, a silent order for him to cock his head. Kagome made sure to keep her voice low so they wouldn't be over hear by Yukina and Shizuru though both Kurama and Itsuki could both probably hear her.
"Are you going to want a room or will you find your own accommodations, such as a tree?" She asked.
"Hn. You made me come here for that?"
"Not really." She flitted an obvious glance towards the busy Yukina. "She's your sister, isn't she?"
His expression hardened and his eyes turned glacial. Kagome didn't flinch, having been the target of such looks frequently since her fifteenth birthday.
"You look a lot alike. It was the eyes that made the connection for me. I presume you would like me to place her far from the rooms of any males? Or would you rather I place you near her?"
"Speak with Kurama. He probably has arrangements already planned out."
Kagome bit her lip and nodded, looking over at Kurama who watched them through hooded eyes.
"Kurama, will you come downstairs with me? I have to talk with the cook and we need to make sleeping arrangements."
Kurama stood and approached the bed. He held a hand out to her and Kagome placed one of hers in his strong grasp and allowed him to pull her up. Having been in bed for so long her knees buckled but Kurama stopped her fall with a well placed arm and whisked her away before anything more could be said.
"Do you know where the big kitchen is?" Kagome asked.
"There is more than one?"
"Yes, the big one where the cook and maids work and the small one for the family's personal use. The big kitchen is behind the formal dinning room and connection tea room," Kagome pointed down the main hallway.
"How many rooms does this place have?" Kurama asked, giving into his curiosity.
"A lot, there's a spell on the outside to make it appear smaller. In truth its one of the palaces that Sesshomaru is in possession of.," she explained.
"I see." They passed through the dinning room.
"Wait here please."
Kagome left Kurama in the doorway and made her way further into the large kitchen. There were few maids bustling around as dinner wasn't to be served for several hours.
Ranmaru the cook was a youkai and had been serving Sesshomaru since before the Sengoku Jidai. Despite his old age, Ranmaru looked as young as Sesshomaru, but unlike Sesshomaru he had a kind and gentle personality.
"Ranmaru-san?"
"Kagome-sama, what can I do for you today?"
"I've come to talk about the meals for the next few days actually," Kagome confessed.
"Really, what about them?" The cook's brow was curved in curiosity.
"We'll be having several guests living here for a while, nine at the moment. It's all lot more people to cook for than the usual so if you need some extra help feel free to hire someone."
"The Reikai Tantei?" Ranmaru questioned, writing a note on a notepad that appeared out of nowhere.
"Yes, and their sisters, Itsuki, Souji, and Hijikata-san too. Will you be hiring help?"
"Maybe. Will you find out if there are any allergies or particular dislikes that our guests may possess?"
"I'll do that. Is there anything else?"
"How's the weather?" He asked.
"I've yet to be outside today but there's a chill in here," Kagome answered promptly.
"I see…" Ranmaru jotted down another note, flipped over the page and began to pen a list. "Have a nice day Kagome-sama will you please ask a maid or two to come over for the grocery list?"
"Okay."
Kagome told the first maid she spotted to help Ranmaru and left to collect Kurama. He was still in the doorway where she had left him, however the maid that stood at his side, batting her lashes outrageously, had not been there when she left. Her eyes narrowing, Kagome approached the pair.
"Kurama, ready to go?" She asked, ignoring the maid.
"Yes."
His answer and completely willingness to leave mollified her some what but the maid opened her mouth as if to protest and Kagome decided to get rid of her.
"Ranmaru-san needs assistance. I suggested you provide it," her voice contained a barely concealed threat.
"Yes, Kagome-sama, right away," the maid bobbed a curtsy and ran off.
Huffing Kagome turned on her heel and stomped out of the kitchen, giving the shoji a kick on the way out. She could feel Kurama following behind her. Kagome fumed all the way to the main study before allowing her anger to dissipate and her body to flop back onto a seat behind a table. From a manila folder on the desk she produced a paper and she snatched a pen from the pen glass near the table's center. The main study had several tables and bookshelves lining the walls. This particular desk had been dubbed, by her, the "planning desk", for on the table was everything one needed to plan a dinner party or anything of the like. The paper she had selected was a copy of the palace's layout and was extremely useful for planning which room to assign to which guest.
"Hiei said you would have ideas for where we could put everyone," Kagome prompted.
"May I see the floor plan and a pencil?"
Kagome pushed the paper toward Kurama, whom had seated himself opposite of her, and set a pencil down on top of it. Kurama pulled the paper towards him, and studied it extensively before lifting the pencil.
"Hiei is very concerned for Yukina isn't he? Can you tell me why Kurama?"
"Do you know anything about the Hime Clan (the community to which the ice maidens belong)?" His pencil began to move over the paper in rapid strokes.
"They're koorime (ice maiden), right?"
"They are. The koorime live in Glacier Fields in the Makai. They're a very reclusive, all female species of youkai. Every hundred years ice maidens enter their fertile period. During this time koorime can reproduce asexually and bear a female child. However if a koorime interacts with a male during this time she will give birth to a male child. Under the rule of the Council, which reigns supreme over the Hime Clan, all male children are to be labeled Imiko (lit. "unwanted child") and frozen to death by being left in the woods without protection. However several years ago Hiei returned to Glacier Country in search of Yukina and found that the Hime Clan had been attacked and destroyed. There isn't a council to control her anymore but Yukina is entering her fertile period and doesn't want to be around any males. Hiei is worried about the same thing."
Kurama set down the pencil and slid it over to her. Kagome looked down at the paper and saw that Kurama had written in name in room spaces. He had placed Yusuke, Itsuki, and Kuwabara in the southern wing, which were the servants' quarters. Kurama had placed Hiei, Yukina, and Shizuru in the north wing. And he had placed himself next to her room in the west wing.
"You know that the south wing houses the servants, particularly the maids, right?"
"Hiei wants the boys as far from Yukina as possible and Yukina has requested that she be set away from the male. With Yusuke and Kuwabara battling for Yukina's affection and me being the only one Hiei will allow near his sister, I'll be the one remaining at your side."
"Why did you but Itsuki with Yusuke and Kuwabara?"
"Koenma assigned Yusuke to watch Itsuki, so I'm afraid that Itsuki has to stay near Yusuke. Koenma has yet to decide if Itsuki can be trusted, he could still be a danger to you," Kurama explained.
"But Itsuki wouldn't do that, he's different from before," she protested. "Besides I don't need all this extra protection, Sesshomaru has already assigned me a protector."
Kurama's brow rose, "really? I would like to meet him."
"You can't. I'm not supposed to call on him in serious circumstances."
"I see."
Kagome smiled sweetly and rose from her seat. She went to a bell pull and gave it a light yank. A came into the room seconds later and tilted her head towards Kagome attentively, ignoring Kurama completely.
"Please prepare the black room and the winter room in the north wings, the room next to mine, the three largest rooms in the ground keepers' dormitory, and Souji's, and Hijikata-san's rooms as well."
"Yes, Kagome-sama," the maid curtsied and left, not once even glancing at Kurama.
After watching the maid depart, Kagome turned to look at Kurama and found him right behind her. He placed his hand on the small on her back and led her out of the study. Kagome tossed the paper into a wastebasket on the way out of the room.
"The ground keepers' dormitory?" Kurama questioned.
"Kosui is the only male that lives in the servant's wing, otherwise it's all female. All the other male servants live in the ground keepers' dorms," Kagome explained.
"Where do Hijikata-san and Souji-san sleep?"
"They stop by periodically but we keep room for them in the west wing. Ranmaru-san also has a room there. The west wing is family, close family friends, and trusted servants."
"Souji-san and Hijikata-san work for you brother?"
"Yes, they are both ningen but they have been working as officers in Sesshomaru-ani's (big brother Sesshomaru's) army for so long that they have become part of his 'inner circle'."
Kurama nodded and suggested that they return to her room so they could get everyone to their own room before dinner.
Kagome agreed, "back to my room then. Will any of you need to go back to your homes to get clothing or anything of the sort?"
"I stopped at my house to gather a bag when I left to pick up Yukina and Shizuru. Shizuru packed a bag for her brother for whenever he decides to return."
Kagome stopped at the room next to hers and slid the door open. The room was styled traditionally even with a futon instead of a mattress. The room was done over with diverse tones of green with a pale yellow green accent.
"This is your room, Kurama. This room is traditionally styled so there's no desk or modern stuff but I can have a desk brought in if you need it."
"It's fine, Kagome."
There are a lot of plants in this room, a lot from the Makai so I thought you'd like it. Also there's a bathroom in there," she gestured to a door. "It has all the modern stuff and a shower. If you go further down the west wing and out the shoji at the end it leads to the western courtyard which had a really nice garden. There's also an indoor hot spring out there if you wanted a bath."
"This place is far larger than I originally though," Kurama murmured.
"I know, I still get lost sometimes," Kagome said. "Let's go get the others."
They left Kurama's room and went next door, into Kagome's room. The pair stopped in the doorway amused by the scene taking place inside the room.
Shizuru was still seated in her chair and Hiei was still watching Yukina protectively but Yukina was making Itsuki march around the room to determine if his ribs were fully healed.
"I believe you're healed Itsuki-san," Yukina announced.
"I could have told you that," Itsuki snapped.
Hiei took his eyes off his sister long enough to be sure that Itsuki saw the glare the Jaganishi directed at him.
"We have rooms for all of you," Kagome chirped, diffusing the tense situation.
Shizuru grabbed her bag and stood, "let's go get settled in, then."
Kagome allowed everyone to pile out of the room and into the hallway before pointing to the door next to hers.
"Kurama will be staying there," she said before walking down the hallway.
Traveling from the west wing to the north wing took five minutes and their leisurely pace, and Kagome stopped midway down the hallway. She opened the door nearest to the exit and allowed everyone to look in. The shoji was the only traditional thing about the room for the design took on a modern twist. The room was black with red accents and was well lit to avoid seeing problems.
"This will be Hiei's room," Kagome announced before pointing at a door inside the room. "There's a bathroom through there and should you need anything there's a bell pull in the corner."
Kagome left the room and guided the group, in which Hiei remained, to the next door and slid it open. A blast of cold air rushed over them. Like Kurama's room this room was traditionally outfitted. However this room was decorated in ice blue and white. Kagome led the group farther into the room. It was larger than Hiei's and had two futons laying across from each other.
"This room is for Yukina and Shizuru to share. Kurama and I figured that the two of you would like to be in the same room." Again she pointed to a door. "Through there is the bathroom, there's also a small hot tub in there if you want to use it. In the closet there are extra blankets if you get cold. And the bell pull is again in the corner."
"Is it alright if we stay here to unpack?" Yukina asked timidly.
"It's fine with me Yukina-chan. The rest of the boys are in the dorm and we have to pick up Yusuke-san first. Will you be coming down for dinner or should I have it sent up?" Kagome asked kindly.
"We'll probably eat downstairs," Shizuru answered.
"Okay, we'll see you two later," Kagome gave a slight wave and left the room.
Kurama and Itsuki, as Hiei had decided that he would stay in his room in order to watch over Yukina better, followed shortly after her. Kagome looked over her shoulder.
"Where did you leave Yusuke-san, anyways Kurama?" She asked.
"The dojo."
A considering look crossed her face and she turned into a smaller hallway, muttering, "I believe that the dojo is this way."
The hallway led to an entrance smaller than the one that Kurama had used earlier, which was set across the room from where they now stood.
Yusuke was across the room, near the other door. Without thinking Kagome ran across the room and collapsed at his side, as she had done many a time with Inu Yasha. Her right hand grasped his shoulder and shook it forcefully.
"Wake up. Inu Ya… sha?" Her eyes widened as she looked at Yusuke again and Kagome pushed herself backwards as his eyes met hers.
Kurama arrived at her side and helped her up. Kagome grasped Kurama's sleeve and hid her face in his shoulder.
"Where do you get off leaving me here like this Kurama?" Yusuke demanded.
"Itsuki was in need of Yukina's assistance." The redhead's brow rose, "have you become vulnerable at last Yusuke?"
"Dammit Kurama! I don't appreciate being left defenseless in the fucking dojo when we could be attacked at any moment," the aggravated detective snapped.
Kagome felt a sharp pain prod at her side and tightened her grasp on Kurama. As Yusuke's anger grew the pain in her side increased. A particularly vicious jab in her abdomen forced Kagome to let a whimper escape her. Kurama obviously heard the noise and his muscles tensed slightly.
"Yusuke." His words were harsh and demanding.
Yusuke was obviously shocked by the tone voice Kurama was used on him and Kagome was relieved to feel his anger and her pain disappear.
"Kagome why don't you lead the way to Yusuke's room. I'll help Yusuke get there," Kurama suggested gently.
Kagome nodded and released Kurama. She stood by Itsuki stiffly and waited till Kurama had Yusuke up leaning against him before walking out of the dojo. Itsuki walked at her side while Kurama and Yusuke trailed behind them, far enough that there conversation wouldn't be overheard.
"I'm sorry Itsuki, but I had to place your room next to Yusuke-san's," Kagome said.
"I believe I'll manage. At least I won't have to sleep next door to you two lovebirds."
Her face flushed and Kagome looked away from the yaminade walking next to her. They spent the rest of the walk to the dorm in silence.
The dorm itself mirrored the architectural style of the main house but was much small. A small group of maids were leaving the dorm. Some carried sheets, others carried cleaning supplies. One of them stopped and approached Kagome.
"Kagome-sama, we prepared the front three rooms for use. Also Kagome-sama, there is a Kuwabara-san at the front. What would you like me to do with him?"
"Have someone show him back here, please," Kagome requested.
"Yes, Kagome-sama."
The maid curtsied and ran off after her peers. Kagome in the meantime lead the way into the dormitory and past the lobby. She stopped in the mouth of the front hallway.
"This first room is Yusuke-san's. Itsuki, yours is next to it and Kuwabara's is across from Yusuke-san's. You'll all have to share a bathroom, it's next to Kuwabara's room. There's no bell pull either but you can radio a maid from Itsuki's room."
Kagome stepped forward and opened Yusuke's room. She moved aside to let Kurama bring Yusuke in. Kurama set Yusuke on his bed and moved away.
"Kagome-sama, I've brought Kuwabara-san," a maid said from the doorway.
"Thank you." Kagome looked at Kuwabara. "Welcome back Kuwabara."
"Hey. What's up with Urameshi?" Kuwabara asked.
"He had a fight with Hiei," Kagome answered.
"The shrimp beat him up good didn't he?" The large man laughed.
"It was a tie," Yusuke growled form the bed.
"Whatever. Anyway Urameshi, Kurama, I bet you guys won't believe what I saw when I was out."
"I bet it's something stupid," Yusuke muttered.
"It is not! Anyway I was walking in the park and I got that tingly feeling like when I'm around a demon. So I went off to investigate and there was this crowd gathered around a tree. I went to go see what was happening. Well there was this kitten up in the tree…"
"That's what you came to say!" Yusuke demanded incredulously.
"No, haven't you ever heard of a dramatic pause, Urameshi?"
"Kuwabara will you please continue your narration?" Interrupted Kurama.
"Sure Kurama. So there was this pretty girl up in the tree trying to get the cat down. A pretty youkai girl." He sighed dreamily, "she had the prettiest red hair and green eyes."
"Are you sure it wasn't just Kurama?" Yusuke snorted.
"No she was defiantly a girl. Her name was Ayame."
"Eh? Ayame?" Kagome squeaked.
There was a small knock on the door and they turned to see a maid entering the room.
"Kagome-sama, the ookami kojo (wolf princess) is waiting for you in the tea room."
"I'll be there in a minute, see that tea and cakes are delivered to the tea room shortly."
"As you wish Kagome-sama," the maid left.
"You know a princess?" Kuwabara asked in slight wonder.
"Yes, I met her in the Sengoku Jidai. Yusuke-san I suppose that you will be staying here but are any of you going to come with me?"
"I believe I will remain in my room as well," Itsuki said before walking out.
"Sure!" Kuwabara scrambled out of the room to wait in the hallway.
Kurama smiled politely and Kagome knew that he would follow her. Shrugging she waved to Yusuke and took off in the direction of the tea room at a quick pace. She slowed to a walk as they neared the room and entering she found Ayame waiting impatiently on a sofa.
"Good evening, Ayame," Kagome greeted.
"Hey it's you!" Kuwabara exclaimed as he caught sight of Ayame. "The cat girl."
"I'm a wolf, not a cat." Ayame snapped before standing. "Kagome, I heard that Sesshomaru-sama finally tracked you down, so I thought to come by for a visit."
"It's always nice to get a visit from an old friend. Will Koga-kun be dropping by for a visit too?" Her nose nearly wrinkled at the thought of such a visit.
"Don't worry Kagome, Sesshomaru-sama and I will do our best to keep him away."
"Thank you Ayame."
"Hang on a second! You're a princess!" Kuwabara demanded.
"Yes," Ayame flickered her gaze over to him only for a second.
"You'll stay for a while, won't you, Ayame?" Kagome pleaded, looking up at the older youkai.
Ayame nodded, "of course Kagome. I was actually planning to hang out in the Ningenkai for a while. Something odd is happening Kagome hav-"
"Kagome!"
Souji rushed into the room just as a maid was setting down a tray with tea and cakes. Kagome was bewildered by the action somewhat for Souji was nothing if not polite, most of the time.
"Souji?"
"You won't believe who Hijikata and I ran into while we were out to restock the personal kitchen." He caught sight of Ayame and bowed politely, "hello Ayame-sama, I didn't see you."
"Get on with it, I didn't come here to get fussed about," Ayame snapped. "You reek of demon."
He blinked, "well yes that's what I came here to tell you. You see I ran into… him," Souji gestured at the door where Hijikata and another man were entering.
"Kagome-sama, I'm afraid I have some bad news," Hijikata began.
"He's back," Souji finished.
The tall man standing besides Hijikata looked around curiously and his eyes met Kagome's. The red clashing with her blue. Kagome's eyes widened and Ayame growled.
"Naraku!" Ayame barked.
"Hijikata? Souji?" Kagome questioned.
"Well you see he was just wandering around. But he doesn't remember anything," Souji explained. "So I thought it best if I brought him here."
"I gather that I'm not a very well liked person?"
Naraku spoke for the first time, his voice causing a ripple of small tremors through Kagome's body. Feeling her discomfort Kurama stiffened and Epsilon, appearing out from behind the sofa moved to stand in front of her.
"You're different from before," Kagome whispered the comment. "The taint of evil no longer hovers about you and the aura of humanity is lost entirely."
"He's become a full youkai," Ayame concluded.
"Exactly," Kagome confirmed.
Everyone looked at Naraku curiously, saved Kuwabara everyone present knew the truth behind the legend of the Shikon no Tama.
"Hang on a sec! What's going on?" Kuwabara asked.
"This bastard tried to kill us all," Ayame hissed.
"Ayame he's not the same as he was before," Kagome said.
Ayame jumped up and her hand swept out wildly in her anger.
"How can you do that Kagome? How can you just forgive this youkai that has tried to kill you and everyone you hold dear thousands of times over?" She demanded.
"If I had never given anyone a second chance, where would I be today? Everyone would have died Shippo, Sango, and Miroku. And you know what I might have killed Koga and Sesshomaru too? If I didn't give second chances, we would all be dead and the evil version of him," she gestured towards Naraku, "would be ruling the world."
"Alright, I get the idea," Ayame muttered, slumping back into her seat.
"Because of your past transgression you will be under strict watch," Kagome continued looking at Naraku, "but since I'm giving you a second chance I won't report you and will allow you to stay here. However because I won't report you doesn't mean someone else won't and should such a thing happen I won't be held responsible for you."
"Yes… Kagome was it?"
Kagome nodded and looked at the maid that had been watching the scene under the guise of bringing tea and cakes.
"You, prepare rooms for Ayame in the west wing and Naraku in the dormitory. Double the guard in the area as well."
The maid murmured a yes and rushed off to do what was bid. Another maid entered as the first left.
"Kagome-sama, dinner is severed."
"Have someone get Hiei, Yukina, Shizuru, and Itsuki. Also have a plate sent to Yusuke," Kagome ordered tiredly.
The maid curtsied and left. Kagome slumped onto the sofa for a second and closed her eyes in exhaustion.
"This is all too much," she mumbled.
Kurama rubbed her back soothingly and held out a hand to help her up.
"Luckily the dinning room isn't that far," she sighed taking his hand.
Kagome lead the way again, two doors down and took her place to the right of the head seat. Kurama sat to her right, Ayame across from her and everyone else filled in. By the time the group with her was settled the others arrived. Filling up more seats with their numbers. Finally a group of maids brought in bowls and set one down in front of everyone. A second group of maids placed a plate in front of everyone and Kagome looked over the hot meal with a smile.
"That's why Ranmaru-san asked," she said.
"Asked what?" Kurama inquired.
"He asked me what the weather was like and I told his it was chilly."
"So he made nabe (hot pot; stew) and takoyaki (dumplings made with chunks of octopus meat)," Kurama concluded with a smile.
"Um hm," she hummed, pleased.
M . M . M . M . M . M . M . M . M . M
After dinner everyone retired to their rooms, worn out from the day. As most lay peacefully, however, Kagome tossed and turned in her bed, haunted by a certain hanyou.
"You did not believe that your kitsune would truly be able to save you, did you?"
"Go away…"
"I've settled in your dreamscape quiet nicely, Kagome. I don't intend to leave any time soon."
"Why?"
"Forever Kagome that is what you promised me."
"I don't want to be with you forever."
"Too bad."
"Kagome!" The panicked voice was but a whisper to her. "Wake up."
She struggled up from her dreams and the worried emerald eyes of Kurama immediately became visible to her. She launched herself at him and hugged him tight, clutching him for all she was worth.
"Kurama, he was there. In my dreams," she cried softly.
"Inu Yasha?"
She nodded and his arms closed around her holding her to him lightly, protectively. He sat on her bed and positioned himself flat on the bed.
"Shh, Kagome. I'll stay with you tonight. Rest, I'll protect you." He murmured, whispering into her hair.
Kagome lay on his chest and her eyes shut as sleep once again rose to claim her. But this time she knew there would be no nightmares. Kurama would protect her with all the ferocity that he had been known for in his previous life.
The safe feeling that encompassed her was something she had never felt with Inu Yasha.
M . M . M . M . M . M . M . M . M . M
"Ah Kosui, how nice of you to come for a visit," he cooed petting the dark hair of his beloved.
"I thought I'd come by to inform you that everyone remains oblivious to your plans. Also I thought to see how your progress was coming, master," Kosui murmured.
"My dear minion, I have made a steady progress but have run out of bodies in which to continue. Tomorrow I begin to make some bodies and soon my love will return to flesh and we shall live together, forever."
"I anticipate the day, master."
"Yes soon you'll walk the earth again. Soon, Rin."
. : End Chapter : .
: . Author's Note . :
It's on time! Barely but it is! I'm so very proud that I was able to finish this grueling, sixteen page chapter by today.
This is part two of my Valentine's Day gift to my readers. The first was the one-shot Bandit By Day which I posted late last night. Part three will be another one-shot with a very weird, out there pairing that no one will expect! Then of course I have a chapter of Inazuma to put up, which promises to be grueling as well.
Anyways people have a happy Valentine's Day while I slave away, alone at my computer. I mean it too, there really is no place else I'd rather be.
Bet that no one expected that the insane man's beloved was Rin. This complicates does it not? Keiko, Koga, Sesshomaru, and Shippo weren't in this chapter and my character list grows longer by the second. I might just have to kill a bunch of them off… I wouldn't do it for that single purpose though.
Sayonara.
. : Next Time : .
A visit from Sesshomaru
Getting closer
The beginning
Wishful thinking
A fine line
Breaking the code
Return of the figure
Rin