Chapter 8

So I felt really bad about how short the last chapter was and decided to get on with the typing. So I give you me loyal readers, the next chapter. Hope you enjoy and I promise more action, adventure and romance. So on with the show.

Kagome brushed her hair out of her eyes with deep breath. Using the sleeve of her shirt she wiped the sweat off her forehead. Placing both hands back on her bokken she readied herself for another onslaught of attacks. Although she had gained Hiei's memories she quickly realized her body was no where near ready to fight at his level. She had been sparring with Hiei for the last couple of hours, and felt as if she was going to drop at any second. Blocking his swing she ducked under his arm, bring her bokken up at a right angle she tried to catch him off guard; unsurprisingly he blocked and then attacked again.

Twenty minutes later she had enough. Plopping on the ground she called for a time out.

"There are not any time outs in battle." Hiei informed her standing by her side. "Well I guess it's a good thing this isn't a real battle." She replied rolling her eyes. Falling back on the ground she looked up at her companion. The last three months had been unlike anything she could have ever imagined. She and Hiei had been inseparable; they had even traveled to the demon world a few times. Truthfully Kagome couldn't imagine life any other way. Her old life seemed to be a distant memory. She smiled at Hiei as he gave in to her and sat down. Changing positions she laid her head in his lap, closing her eyes she thought about the night three months ago, when she had given Hiei her memories in exchange for her own.

Waking a few hours before the sun, she was him standing by the window. Realizing he had put her to bed and stayed while she slept. Unsure what to say to him she just watch as he stared out the window, knowing that he would speak when he was ready.

"No one has ever trusted me as much as you have." He finally said still facing the window. "Even knowing all that you do how can you still look at me with such trust?" Kagome did not answer at first. Slowly she stood from the futon and walked over to him. Placing a hand on his shoulder she turned him to face her. "Because I know all you have done and why. I know that you are a good person in heart." At his snort she continued.

"You fought for your life Hiei; you searched for a sister that might have rejected you as your family did. You protect your friends, and even though Yukina doesn't know who you are are always there for her. Granted you have done things you aren't proud of, but so has everyone. Look into my memories Hiei, I to have done things I am ashamed of. I have also killed and destroyed countless lives through my actions. All of the families and lives destroyed by the jewel are my responsibility. They are my burden to carry, but that doesn't mean that you have to quit living. The good you do may never out way the bad, but you have to keep at it. If you are looking for forgiveness Hiei, than I forgive you."She told him placing a kiss on his cheek.

Hiei watched Kagome nap after there training session. He had never expected to be able to see life through another's eyes. With this woman, he felt as if he had a second chance. The changes he was experiencing with her memories had not bothered him as much as he thought it would. He felt more at ease with who life and his friends. He was even considering tell Yukina that he was her brother. He wanted the family that he never had the chance to have. He wanted her forgiveness for the things he had done, and for not telling her who he was when he found her. He knew that she was still searching for her brother. Absently running his hands through Kagome's hair he closed his eyes and enjoyed the feel of the sun on his face.

"Now that's a sight you don't see every day." Yusuke told Genkai and Kurama. The three of them stood on the porch watching Kagome and Hiei resting in the noon day sun. "Kagome has done such good for Hiei's soul." Kurama remarked. Genkai chose to keep her thoughts to her self, as the tree of them made their way into the house.

"What brings you by?" Genkai asked the two visitors as they settled into the main room.

"Koenma called, seems the demon activity has picked up lately. More powerful demons have been breaking the barrier, escaping into the human world." Kurama answered. "He has asked Yusuke and me to go on a new mission into the demon world. He has requested that Hiei also go."

"If we can separate the love birds" Yusuke chimed in sarcastically. Genkai reached over and smacked him on the back of the head. "OW what you do that for, you old bat."

"Respect your elders" Genkai shot back.

"Elder is right" Yusuke mumbled as he flinched away.

"Why not ask Kagome to go along?" Genkai asked. "She might be of some assistance."

"Go where?" Kagome asked as she entered the room with Hiei right behind her. Yusuke jumped at her voice. "Don't scare me like that" Yusuke exclaimed crossly. Kagome just smiled at him. Hiei rolled his eyes at the two of the turning his attention to Kurama. "What's going on Fox?'

"Koenma has asked that the three of us go on a mission to the demon world, and uncover where all the demon activity is taking place. Genkai has suggested that we take Kagome along." Hiei glanced at Kagome who was still bickering with Yusuke. He knew couldn't tell her no, but he wasn't comfortable with her going on a spirit world mission. She was flying under Koenma's radar for the moment and he didn't want that brat to con her into working for him as he did Yusuke. He would just have to deal with it when the time came. "When do we leave?" He asked.

Kagome was so excited she could hardly stand it. She hadn't been on a trip like this for nearly three years. Waiting outside of Genkia's with Hiei and Kurama she mentally went over her list of things she had packed in her trusty yellow backpack. Confident that she hadn't forgotten anything she bounced on the balls of her feet. All they were waiting for was Yusuke. She could understand why he was reluctant to go, Kieko was close to her third trimester and they where not sure how long they would be gone. Koenma has assured him that they would be back in time; still it had to be hard to leave her.

"What are you so happy about" said person growled at her. "Good morning to you to Yusuke." She replied cheerfully. "The sun's not even up yet." He complained. "How can it be morning?" Kagome just rolled her eyes at him.

"Is everyone ready?" Kurama asked. With affirmatives all around, he called Boton for a portal into the Demon world.

As they stopped into the Demon world Kagome looked around. Even though she had been there with Hiei before she was still marveled at how much it looked like the human world; a post-apocalyptic human world but still. "Which way" Hiei was asking the team leader. "North" Kagome answered automatically. Blushing she noticed the others looking at her. "Just a guess" She told them sheepishly. "Good one" Kurama answered "How did you know?" Yusuke asked curiously. Kagome shrugged "The greatest amount of collective power is coming from the north." Satisfied they begin their trek.

"So where are we?" Kagome asked as they reached they end of the day.

"You are trespassing" was the reply.

Startled they turned around at the sound. The fact that no one had sensed him approach was a testified that this was a powerful demon. Hiei, Kurama and Yusuke went on guard instantly. Kagome just stood there amazed. "You're still alive." She said in aw.

"This Sesshomaru dies for no one"

Well hope you enjoyed that! I can't wait for your reviews.