Chapter 11: Confessing the Past

Kagome picked at her food. She had finished recounting her mission 500 years ago but kept one thing out of it- the Shikon Jewel. Koenma, the team owner and binky-sucking prince of Spirit World, had asked several questions while making his ogre-secretary George write down everything. Apparently the officials of Spirit World only knew that she would frequently appear and disappear from the human world in the near past but they weren't paying attention to the distant past events that she was actually responsible for... maybe all her exploits were hidden in the demon world historical vaults or something. If Sesshomaru was as influencial as he used to be (probably more so now), anything about that time was probably in his citadel. Only a fool would try to steal anything from the Western Lord.

Yusuke had opted out of the meal in order to talk to Keiko and spend some time with her. He apparently vanished on her all the time with no explanation due to his Spirit World duties. Since the proverbial cat was out of the bag, he had a lot of explaining to do.

Kuwabara and his sister Shizuru joined the group at the restaurant but seemed to be more focused on the food than asking questions. They appeared to be the types who took things at face value unless the contents were obvious lies-- even then, Shizuru seemed to be the same no-nonsense person as Sesshomaru was, being able to tell when they were being lied to and narrowing their eyes threateningly until the offender either confessed their lie and/or suffered the physical consequences. Lucky for the miko, as strange as her tale was, it was 100% the truth so she was not on the end or those visual daggers... at least not the human ones.

No, Hiei had that task down. He didn't say a word, didn't seem like he thought she was lying but that didn't stop him from glaring in her direction and intimidating her. Kurama also watched her with inquisitive eyes. He didn't ask anything too out of the ordinary until Koenma and George left. He waited until they were in the hotel suite reserved for the male members of Team Urameshi (Kagome would be sleeping in the suite next door with Botan and Shizuru and Keiko) before asking more specific questions about her time with demons and certain issues that she seemed to have glossed over. The only thing she refused to divulge any information was exactly what she broke to start the mission. But as strong as her will was, she couldn't keep the slight panicked shock from her face when Kurama spoke of how some of the most powerful trinkets were created-- souls and fangs, specifically.

The redhead gave a slight smirk but didn't comment on her facial slip. Instead, he began to get into the specifics of the Western Citadel, asking about some of the defenses that only one who had been there would know. Kagome's eyes narrowed as she recounted her time there, their group healing up for the final battle with Naraku. Sesshomaru had decided to put his hatred of humans and Inuyasha aside for the best chance of destroying Naraku. And because Rin had some human females to bond with and learn things which he was unable to assist (he was a male demon and Rin was approaching the age where her body was beginning to change--he knew the basics but not how she could deal with such changes). But how would Kurama know about the defenses and traps of the Western Citadel from 500 years ago? There was only one way...

"You were there..."

Kurama's smirk turned into a knowing grin as he nodded. "Not during your time there but perhaps 50 years after that, give or take. The things you described hadn't changed in that time so I am inclined to believe your tale."

Kagome rolled her eyes. Clearly it didn't matter if he believed her or not. But at the moment, she was emotionally and mentally exhausted. "Well, I'm gonna go take a shower and go to bed. Being around so many powerful demons all of a sudden makes Grandma's forest seem like a walk in the park..." The girl stood up and stretched out her lithe limbs, giving everyone a peak at her school uniform under the kimono.

Hiei's eyes narrowed further and Kurama adverted his eyes with a soft clearing of his throat. "I understand that your... school uniform has quite a lot of sentimental value. But perhaps you should borrow some clothing of Botan's? It would certainly help preserve your... dignity..." His pauses were used diplomatically but even the pretense of propriety didn't stop her anger from sparking.

"This isn't 500 years ago. I would think that I could wear whatever I want as long as I'm not breaking any laws."

The koorime hybrid huffed. "Human laws don't apply to demons. You should know that better than any other human-- you will be taken against your will by any demon who succumbs to their seasonal urges. Best to not make the act an easy one with a skirt."

Kuwabara sputtered, anger coloring his face. "That's sick! Dude, guys shouldn't take advantage of girls like that! We can protect her so--"

Shizuru knocked him on the head. "Don't be so naive, dumbass. Not everyone has your sense of morals. Even if they shouldn't do it, girls can't let their guards down. That's when they'll be attacked."

Kagome rolled her eyes. She was a miko and had better control of her powers than she did 500 years ago when such laws weren't enforced by any judicial system-- it was either might equaled right or the ruler of the area decided if the man would be punished. The woman would usually be condemned no matter how modestly she was dressed.

Opening her mouth, she was about to continue arguing when she caught the eye of the masked fighter. This shut her mouth and she ran a hand through her hair. "...fine. I'll see what I can borrow since you guys won't shut up about it. But I still think it's stupid that I have to change clothes because men can't control themselves... good night."

Kagome stomped out of the room and into the girls' suite next door. She would ask Botan and Shizuru to borrow clothes later. Keiko was much too short and she knew that Hiei and Kurama would keep harping on it. She knew that Shizuru had a point but still... she was hoping that one of her demon friends would be at the tournament and she wanted to make it as easy as possible for them to spot her after 500 years of being separated. And there was sentimental value when it came to her school uniform. She could have gotten a new one but it didn't have the history of the final battle.

She took a quick shower, digging her pajamas and clean underwear from her bag. She had her hair pulled back into a braid and she approached her bed. On the pillow was a small note and an acorn with a silly face on it. A very familiar silly face... The note had a simple message. "See you in the forest tomorrow, Mama." Tears pricked the corners of her eyes and she picked up the acorn, her powers detecting the magic on the item. "...!" She held it to her chest. Surely they wouldn't need their replacement fighter tomorrow... it was just one day and with Keiko and Shizuru, they had plenty of cheerleaders... "...Shippo..."