Disclaimer: Not mine. Wish it was. But it's not. So I cry.

Note: for those who were wondering: this is not going to be a Kagome/Kurama(as in Shuuichi) fic, nor is it to be a Kagome/Hiei. it's just going to be a Kagome/Yoko with friendly bunny feeling for Kurama. poor kid, he's not going to get a girlfrind in this one. we'll see what happens in the third book...

Chapter 3

Death cannot Deter

"What was that?" Yuusuke asked in awe. Miroku grinned, as did Shippou.

"That," said the dead priest, "Was the sword 'Fumetsu'. A sword forged from the bones of an Immortal by Totousai for a miko constrained not by the bonds of time. He gave it to Sesshoumaru a couple of centuries back, before he was forced to the Makai, in the hopes that Lady Kagome would return to us. Why do you ask?"

"The immortal sword called 'immortal.' Not very original," Hiei commented snidely. Miroku nodded.

"True, it's not, but tell that to Totousai. He made the 'sword of life' and the 'sword of destruction.' Imaginative names probably don't come very easily to him."

"Why did Totousai make me a sword?" Kagome asked as she slid the blade a couple of inches out of the sheath to admire the perfection.

"You trained under this Sesshoumaru. You are proficient, more so than my brother when he received the tessaiga, so it is only fitting that you are presented with a worthy weapon," said Sesshoumaru. Kagome ginned and hugged him again. "Now, Houshi. Come forth,"

Miroku stood in front of Sesshoumaru. The youkai lord unsheathed the tenseiga. Everyone watched expectantly as he elegantly brought the healing blade up and through Miroku's spirit body. The priest gasped in shock, breathing for the first time in five hundred years. His physical body was restored and he lived once more.

"I thank you Lord Sesshoumaru," he bowed low. "I am thankful that I am given another life to live, at your mercy,"

"Not my mercy, Priest. Your thanks should be directed to Kagome, for she is the one who pled your case to the toddler," Sesshoumaru turned away and replaced Tenseiga in it's sheath. Miroku moved closer to Kagome.

"Lady Kagome, how can I ever thank you enough. I just have one question," he dropped to one knee and held her hand before him, "Would you kindly consider bearing my children?"

In an instant Shippou and Yuusuke had taken care of the embarrassing situation.

"He never learns," Shippou sighed as everyone stared at the now unconscious Houshi.

"Is he always like that?" Yuusuke demanded. Kagome, Sesshoumaru and Shippou nodded in unison. "Great, now we've got another pervert in our group," he sighed. Kagome cocked her head to the said in confusion.

"Who else is a pervert?"

"Yoko. Stupid horny fox," he jerked his thumb at Kurama and Kagome stared at him in confusion.

"I thought that his name was Kurama,"

Kurama decided to step up before Yuusuke botched the explanation and ruined his spotless reputation. "Yoko Kurama is the name of the kitsune that inhabits this body alongside myself. My human name is Minamino Shuuichi. I go by Kurama because it seems to fit better, and avoids the confusion of having two personalities." he smiled. Kagome nodded.

"So, do I get to meet this Yoko?"

Shippou, whose jaw had dropped in shock at the reference to the infamous kitsune bandit, started protesting. "Momma! I don't think that would be such a good idea! Yoko Kurama! By Inari-sama and all that's even remotely holy, he's one of the most dangerous thieves in all of Makai! I thought he'd died!"

"You're right, kit," Yoko said, pushing his way into dominance over the shared body. The transformation was breathtaking. Kagome stared in awe at the tall, silver-haired Kitsune. Her fingers twitched when she caught sight of his oh-so-petable ears and tail. "I was the most dangerous bandit in all of Makai. Now I'm on parole," he flashed a wicked grin at Kagome and she felt herself start to melt inside as his eyes met hers.

Shippou saw this and stepped between his mother and the bandit, breaking the spell he had been weaving with his eyes. "Don't think you can go and Seduce my momma, I won't allow it." He growled. Yoko smirked.

"She's a big girl,"

"She's not a one night stand."

Kagome placed a hand on Shippou's shoulder. "It's alright Shippou. If he tries anything I'll just zap him, 'kay?" Shippou shook his head, not budging.

"Kagome, you don't understand. You've never been up against an adult kitsune before, only me. I wasn't old enough to weave a Kitsune Seduction, which is what he's starting. If you fall under his spell he could take you right there on Koenma's desk if he wanted, right in front of everyone. He's dangerous and I refuse to allow you to be alone with someone like him," Kagome gasped in shock. Was that what he had been trying? She was going to trust Shippou's judgment in this case.

"Alright Shippou-chan, I won't be alone with him," she promised. Yoko sighed dejectedly.

"We could have so much fun, you know," he smirked and winked. Kagome blushed. Yuusuke growled.

"That's MY cousin you're talking to! You'll have to get through me before I'd even think about letting you near her!"

"I agree," said Sesshoumaru, "Kagome is my younger sister by rites of youkai adoption. She is not one who is available for a 'fling.' If you want her, you must court her first. Mating is the only thing acceptable for my sister. Anything else and your life is forfeit to my claws."

Yoko grinned and relinquished control back to Shuuichi. The redhead blinked at al the hostile eyes boring into him. "Do forgive him. Yoko likes nothing more than to play with people. Forgive me Miss Kagome, I tried to talk him out of trying his tricks on you and only succeeded in half," he bowed his head in shame. Kagome slipped out from behind Shippou.

"Oh, Kurama-san, don't worry about it. I doubt what Yoko had in mind was to take possession of my body in order to kill my friends, so it's forgivable," she smiled.

-So, she has been possessed before. That could explain the defenses.-

:She didn't say no:

She'll only agree if you court her properly.

:So give her some flowers:

Across the room Hiei snorted, smirking. Kurama shook his head in defeat. In the blink of an eye he held a lovely bouquet of red roses, which he handed to Kagome.

"Yoko wishes I give these to you with his promise that if a treasure such as yourself would so wish he would be honored to be allowed the privilege to court you,"

:Nice, nice. I like the wording. You are coming along quite nicely:

-Horny fox,-

Kagome blushed. "I'll – ah – consider it,"

"He thanks you," Kurama blushed at some of the other things Yoko was saying and held his tongue.

On the floor, Miroku stirred.

"Oh! Miroku-sama! How's your head?" Kagome asked, crouching down to check his injuries.

"Lady Kagome, I am flattered that you care to bestow this unworthy priest with you radiant concern,"

Kagome stiffened and slapped her mentor. His hand fell away from her bottom.

"He really doesn't learn does he?" wondered Yuusuke. Shippou nodded.

"He's been like that for as long as we've known him. Death hasn't changed him a bit," the red-kitsune sighed.

Yuusuke grimaced. "Figures. I've met her and she's pretty hot,"

Sesshoumaru sighed and slung the senseless monk over his shoulder. "Come, we go to my Palace," he declared. Yuusuke looked like he was about to protest, but everyone else seemed to think that it was a good idea.

"Bye toddler! Say hello to Enma-sama from me!" Kagome waved. Koenma paled.

The arrival in the Makai shook Kagome just like the last time, Miroku as well, waking him from his stupor. Both gasped in shock and clutched their chests as if in pain. Miroku recovered quickly and helped support Kagome until she was steady.

"No fair, Miroku-sama. Why doesn't it effect you like it does me?" she sighed.

"Lady Kagome, You are by far more pure of heart. As the Jewel's protector you need to be, as you know, so that you do not succumb to its seductive dark influence," he said seriously. Kagome nodded wearily. She knew. It was her duty after all.

"So it's because of the Jewel that I'm affected like this?" she asked.

"Possibly. I can't tell for sure since your own natural powers are so in sync with those of the Jewel,"

"Makes sense," Kagome nodded. "Thanks Miroku. For helping me,"

"It is my pleasure, Lady Kagome,"

"Are you well, Kagome?" Sesshoumaru asked, standing over her stooped form. Carefully, Kagome straightened out.

"I'll be fine Sesshoumaru-kun. It hit me like this last time we arrived. It's all the youki, it bothers my miko senses, that's all," she reassured the stoic lord. Sesshoumaru studied her for a second longer, before nodding.

"I shall have servants prepare rooms for all of you. Kagome, Detective, come with me. We have much to discuss." And with that Sesshoumaru swirled off expecting to be obeyed without question.

"Hey! I've got better things to do than sit around here and talk. I've gotta find my cousin and kill the guy that snatched him." Yuusuke growled. Kagome groaned. Sesshoumaru paused and looked over his shoulder, a slight smirk on his face.

"And that is exactly what we need to discuss. It would be foolish to race into battle without a plan. Fools rush into battle and die swiftly. Survivors plan and live to rule."

"Yuusuke, go with him. It might prove useful," Kurama advised. Hiei nodded.

"Go, Detective. It's not often one as powerful as him offers his aid,"

"Shorty's right. Sesshoumaru does not often offer to help people. Kagome's special and since you're helping her he'll help you. But not if you get on his bad side." Shippou stated blandly. Miroku nodded agreement.

"Then he would gladly introduce you to his youki whip and Toxic Flower Claw. That is Sesshoumaru-sama for you,"

"Fine. I'll go." Yuusuke complained.

"Good boy," Miroku smiled. Everyone – except Sesshoumaru, Hiei and, of course, Yuusuke – laughed.

"Stupid monk," the Toushin muttered. Kagome grinned and grabbed his arm, dragging him after Sesshoumaru.

"So," Miroku stared, "Shippou, tell me, what has happened since my death?"

"Well, after Kagome put up the Barrier the Three Worlds were successfully split. It's really rare that a ghost or a youkai manage to get into the Ningenkai or vice versa, which is a good thing and a bad thing. It's made the Ningenkai a lot more peaceful, in a way. But all the old beliefs are now thought of as old fashioned because there's no youkai around, only in legends. Kagome is really one of the last True Miko. I think I've only heard of about three or four more, but that's it,"

"Is that so," Miroku thought on this carefully. He turned to Kurama and Hiei, "So, what about you two. What is your part in all of this?"

"We are Spirit Detectives," Kurama explained. "Our job is to apprehend those youkai who trespass into the ningenkai,"

"Yoko mentioned being on parole. Care to elaborate?"

Kurama sighed. "Hiei, a youkai named Goki and I broke into the Reikai vaults and stole three items. Goki died fighting Yuusuke-"

"Got his stupid head blown off," Hiei smirked.

"Yes, Goki got his head blown off by Yuusuke's reigan, and Hiei and I are serving Koenma in lieu of jail time," Kurama shrugged.

"Like any jail could hold you,"

"You're right Hiei. Koenma thought it wise to keep me out of the Reikai jails, as I would only pick my way out, no matter the security. Yoko is helpful that way,"

:Ungrateful, that's what you are: Yoko groused.

Well, what can I say?

:Thanks for getting me out of so many life threatening situations, would be nice:

If you hadn't popped into my body before I was born I wouldn't have gotten into so many life threatening situations, now would I?

-He's got you there fox,-

:Bite me:

-No, you'd like that,-

Kurama sighed. If only his life was not so interesting. Must be karma. His past life had done something terribly evil.

:Oh sure, blame it on me:

I will, thank you very much.

"And why is Yuusuke-san serving with you?" Miroku pressed. Kurama smiled.

"That, Houshi-sama, is his story to tell," the redhead smiled, "But don't worry, in the eyes of the Reikai Yuusuke's record is practically spotless."

"But that is in the eyes of only the Reikai, I take it?"

"Your human guards are as yet still unable to find anything finite against him," Hiei snorted, "Pathetic. And in the Makai he is feared for his strength, as he should be,"

"Yuusuke may be a delinquent in the eyes of the Ningenkai but he has a good heart," said Kurama. Hiei rolled his eyes.

"He's soft,"

"He's half human,"

"You're going soft,"

Kurama grinned and spread his hands helplessly; "I had a good human mother the second time around,"

"Second time around?" Miroku asked.

"Ah, yes. That is where Yoko comes in. made a mistake that cost him his life and the life of his business partner,"

:Don't remind me.:

"Yoko managed to escape Death and her Ferrygirls, whom I am sure you have met, by taking up residence in a unborn human fetus. It was only supposed to be a temporary thing, until he had regained all of his power back, but like I said: we had a good mother this time around. Her sacrifices puzzled Yoko, and you must know how kitsune love puzzles,"

:It's a weakness: Yoko shrugged in Kurama's mind.

"So we decided to stay," Kurama finished, ignoring Yoko's commentary.

"I see," The monk nodded, smiling broadly. "Another youkai reformed because of the love of a human woman,"

"I do not understand, Houshi-sama,"

Miroku chuckled, "You do not honestly believe that Sesshoumaru-sama was always this open do you? No, many years back, before Rin-chan and Kagome-sama entered his life he was the epitome of Yang in spirit,"

Hiei raised an eyebrow. –Ask him who this Rin-chan is, Fox,- he prodded.

"And who is this Rin-chan you speak of?" Kurama asked, obligingly. Miroku looked surprised.

"You mean that you do not know of Sesshoumaru-sama's human daughter? Both of you feel old enough to have been around during that scandal,"

"Must have been too busy," Kurama muttered with no little humor.

"Forgive me. Rin-chan and Sesshoumaru-sama met some time before Naraku's demise. Sesshoumaru-sama, as I have heard, had been greatly injured in a battle against his younger brother, Inuyasha. Rin-chan found him in a forest near her village and tried to nurse him back to health. As you can imagine, he was a most reluctant patient, but Rin-chan would not stop coming. Not too long after Sesshoumaru-sama was well enough to move again, Rin-chan's village was attacked by a pack of wolf youkai and Rin-chan was killed. In order to repay the debt owed Sesshoumaru-sama used the tenseiga to restore life to her, much like he did for me, and Rin-chan followed him faithfully from that day on," Miroku explained. "Although I do not believe that she ever quite conquered her fear of wolves. Koga-san was never permitted near the Western Palace whenever Rin-chan was there, as far as I know. Eventually Rin-chan mated a fire youkai and had a family of her own,"

"And how did Miss Kagome get to know the Lord?"

"Well, Kagome-sama had been attacked by a low-level youkai and Sesshoumaru killed it before she came to any harm. He was puzzled, so Kagome-sama told me, as to why she was not trained in the art of her Holy Powers and arranged for her to receive training under an aged miko in a nearby village. Later, after the Shikon Jewel was shattered he traveled with her and eventually adopted her as his sister. It just proves that Kagome-sama can charm even an Ice Prince into a puddle of warm water," the monk chuckled at his joke. Hiei groaned.

"So I am a puddle of warm water now, am I?" Sesshoumaru loomed behind Miroku, startling the priest out of his skin.

"Sesshoumaru-sama! That didn't take long,"

Kagome and Yuusuke stood behind Sesshoumaru, both eerily silent. Hiei shot a mental question to the toushin, and smirked at the answer he received.

"It seems that the Toushin is not convinced of Kagome's skills, physically or spiritually. We are heading to the dojo for a spar of sorts. You may come of you so wish," The Lord invited.

"I suppose that that is only fair. I myself am not confident in the boy's skills myself, toushin or not. If he has not the proper training he could be worse than Inuyasha and even more of a pain to deal with,"

"Oi! I'm right here you know!" Yuusuke protested loudly.

Miroku acted surprised, as if he had not seen the detective behind Sesshoumaru. "Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't see you there. Please forgive me," he begged. Kagome rolled her eyes at his innocent act.

"Come," Sesshoumaru said, turning on his heel towards the Palace's spacious dojo.

Of course, everyone followed.