"When you say it's gonna happen "now"
Well, when exactly do you mean?
See I've already waited too long
And all my hope is gone"
(The Smiths)


The Jewel of Akuma

"Talking"

'Thinking'

Stressed
Kagome smiled as she finished setting the guests up in their rooms. Kagome had placed Kurama in her mother's old room, and placed Yusuke and Kuwabara in her Ji-chan's old room. Souta questioned her for about an hour and Yusuke demanded answers right away. She simply told them all to rest before she told them everything. Souta shrugged and Yusuke threw a fit. Kagome finally right hooked him and Kuwabara carried his unconscious form up the stairs. Kuronue was shocked at this, but wasn't surprised. Kagome then grabbed his hand and pulled him into her room. She pushed him inside and slammed the door after she entered.

Souta gave a worried look and Kurama grinned. Kurama then assured Souta all would be set right. Souta finally gave up and went to bed.

'Finally…home at last,' Kagome thought as she collapsed on her bed. The mattress squeaked and she closed her eyes.

Kagome knew Kuronue was bound to break something. He had been dead five hundred years and probably didn't witness the rise of technology. Kagome watched as he tapped her alarm clock with slight interest. She was grateful she had remolded her room. Her room still had the same powder pink walls, but it wasn't crowded like before. She had gotten a larger bed that she still hadn't slept in and a lamp for another corner. He looked around the almost empty room before he sat on the empty side of the bed. Kagome glanced around her almost empty room and sighed. She did it like this because she was used to emptiness.

"This room doesn't suit you," Kuronue finally spoke.

Kagome shrugged before she grinned. His mood seemed light for one that had been brought back. She snapped her fingers and he looked over at her in surprise. His eyes traveled down his body and he found that he had strange clothing on. His pants were a regular set of dark blue sleeping pants. A he had a baggy shirt on that had two slits on the back for his wings. He noticed she hadn't given him his hat, he sighed.

"I think the room's fine," Kagome mumbled as she stared at him.

Kuronue lay down next to her and softly tilted her chin up. He gazed into her eyes and she blinked. A chuckle escaped him and he rested his forehead against hers. Kagome softly grinned and stared into his indigo eyes.

"Your eyes have more gray," Kuronue noted.

"I took on more of Kikyo's soul once you died," Kagome explained.

"Why?" He softly asked. Kagome's smile faltered and she hid her emotions once more. She went to look away and found him tilting her face towards him. "Don't hide."

"I was locked away in the Tama for almost five hundred years," Kagome began. "It was a punishment and way to save me."

Kuronue pulled her into a hug and she lay in his arms with her head resting underneath his chin. She let out a sigh and he sighed along with her. She softly chuckled and he looked at the top of her head with a questioning gaze.

"What's so funny?" Kuronue asked.

"The different titles people have given me," Kagome responded.

"What brought this thought?" Kuronue questioned with his own smile.

"I was thinking about the affectionate name I call you and thought of what people call me," Kagome answered in one breathe.

"What have they named you?" Kuronue asked.

"The Tragic Miko, Miko, listen lady, that chick, and some other things," Kagome mumbled.

"Least they don't call you a fruit bat," Kuronue dryly teased.

"I mean Okinawa in the most affectionate way," Kagome seriously said.

"I know," Kuronue whispered as he inhaled her scent.

"I missed you," Kagome suddenly said.

"I missed you too," Kuronue responded.

Kagome remained silent as she thought about him. He was finally back and in her arms. She could kiss him, stay in his arms, and ravage him with no protest. Yet, something still irked her. Her eyes strayed to the wall and she thought long and hard. Tears formed as she finally realized what it was. Kagome felt him tense and she knew he could sense her emotions.

"Why do you smell so guilty?" Kuronue asked.

"Inuyasha," Kagome calmly said. Kuronue didn't tense, he knew who Kagome was talking about. It was her old love, the one who first held her heart.

"What about him?" Kuronue asked; he didn't have to worry about Inuyasha.

"You know I love you." Kagome seriously stressed.

"I know that," Kuronue assured.

'I haven't showed him my love, all I have are words," Kagome sadly thought.

"No…you hear it, but do you truly believe it?" Kagome softly questioned.

Kuronue paused for a second before he responded with, "I believe you."

"I would never hurt you," Kagome whispered.

"What's on your mind?" Kuronue asked.

"Inuyasha is back from the grave," Kagome finally answered. Kuronue did tense as his eyes opened in realization. She was trying to assure him that she wouldn't leave him.

"I know you won't leave me for him," Kuronue softly said in her ear.

"I know what having your dead love come back with vengeance is like, I've seen it and been on the painful end," Kagome firmly spoke, "I won't hurt you."

"He's hurt you?" Kuronue asked.

"He wants me dead," Kagome held back the sobs and was surprised her words weren't bitter.

"He isn't the same Inuyasha," Kuronue firmly enforced.

'Some part of me will always love him,' Kagome thought.

"What will you do?" Kuronue asked.

"I'll kill him," Kagome unemotionally answered.

"It can't be that simple," Kuronue growled. He felt a bit angry with this, not angry with her. The anger came to him and he couldn't find what it was connected to.

"You said your powers deal with the mind," Kagome began.

"Yeah," Kuronue cautiously answered.

"I want you to come into my mind and see what happened when Kikyo was around," Kagome pleaded as she stared up at him.

"Why? It's not something you have to share," Kuronue offered her a chance out.

"I want to share everything with you. I want to prepare you so you can know what happened and trust me," Kagome explained.

"But…I do trust you," Kuronue softly assured. She touched his temple and softly stroked his pointed ear.

"Blind trust is easily broken."

Kuronue trailed his hand along her side. He let the claws softly graze her sides as he touched her temple. She could see the battle in his mind. Kagome closed her eyes and used her own power to touch his mind. All he needed to do was reach out and grabbed her mind. Her body went still as he hesitantly connected his mind to hers. Kagome's powers leaked out and formed a barrier around the house until she was back to being aware. Until then, she would be showing Kuronue a trip down memory lane. She wanted to make sure that he trusted her. A foreboding feeling kept telling her that something would play them against each other.

"Isn't it sweet…how they so love each other?" A smooth voice sneered as he watched the sunrise.

"Yes, master," a subdued voice, answered with no emotion.

"Why did you make her so dead?" A gruff voice complained.

"Her own fears made her so subdued," the voice answered.

"Can I finally kill her Hakudoushi?" The gruff voice asked as he cracked his knuckles.

"You must be patient Inuyasha, we send in our first pawn. We need them to suffer," Hakudoushi answered. Inuyasha nodded and reached out to touch the first pawn. He ran his claws through her chestnut hair and grinned. Her vibrant brown eyes were dull and lifeless.

"Are you ready Keiko?" Hakudoushi asked.

His violet eyes studied the girl before him. She looked so frail in her new outfit that he placed her in. He reached up and brushed alavender bang from his face. The girl stood at attention ready for her orders. She clutched her weapon in her right hand and looked at the shrine that lay ahead. Hakudoushi studied Keiko looking for any flaws that he could find. He murmured a perfect and touched her on top of her head.

"Go to the shrine and kill Yusuke, kill whoever gets in your way," Hakudoushi ordered.

"Yes Master," Keiko responded as she bowed. She stood back up and held the staff of her weapon.

"How did you train her with the chigiriki so fast?" Inuyasha asked with slight annoyance.

"When dealing with the mind you can add or take information," Hakudoushi answered as he vanished from sight. "Go aid her, but don't kill the Miko."

"Should I use the jewel of Akuma?" Inuyasha calmly asked.

"Yes, let's damage her world further," Hakudoushi agreed.

Inuyasha grinned as he held the jewel of Akuma to his eyelevel. It was a beautiful black with a soft sheen of red. The evil poured off of it in waves making him shudder with anticipation. He grinned and took off after Keiko.

Kagome yawned and rolled over. Her right arm lay across something smooth and firm. Her eyes slowly opened and she grinned as she began to snuggle into the form. He rolled onto his side and pulled her closer to him. Kagome grinned as she stretched and kissed him. A smile spread across his face as a bit of fang poked out. Kagome laughed and watched as his Indigo eyes stared down at her. He leaned down and kissed her forehead.

"Good morning my Okinawa," Kagome happily greeted.

"I'm not a fruit bat, my Miko," Kuronue whispered.

"I know but you're sweet like a piece of fruit," Kagome teased as he scoffed.

"You're the only one that would call a youkai sweet," Kuronue calmly said.

"Only you," Kagome whispered as she kissed his chin.

Kuronue smiled and pulled her closer to him. He sighed and closed his eyes. This was the first time he had truly woken up next to her. The sun's light was beginning to warm the room and he grinned. Last night she had shared a painful part of her past with him. Kuronue's grin turned neutral as he held her and began to think. So many questions that filled his heart with pain and fear. He knew she feared that she would hurt him like Inuyasha did her.

'She'll stay with me,' Kuronue thought as his grip tightened.

His face took on a small frown as he thought about Inuyasha. Would she run off to him if she found him alone and hurt? She would naturally help anyone that was in pain. His eyes opened and stared down at her calm and relaxed form. Could she look past what he is and make a promise she'd regret? Or would she regret choosing him and run off with the resurrected hanyou.

'I'm hopeless,' Kuronue thought. 'Why would she fear doing something like that…does she still love him?'

Kagome pulled away and sat up. Her eyes snapped open and the gray in her orbs darkened. He felt her Miko ki push out and spread along the property of the shrine. Naturally, he felt a tingling sensation; something that pure would always feel strange to him. His eyes widened with worry as the sensation zapped him. He looked to Kagome and found her grinning at him. He glared at her before he looked down to check his body. His outfit was changed once more to something strange.

"I changed you into jeans and the vest you used to wear," Kagome answered his question. He was surprised to find that it was the same black vest. It fit perfectly to his form. He reached up and found his old hat atop his head, his hair was done and in a ponytail. Indigo eyes questioned her and she softly smiled at him.

"I thought you hated the hat," Kuronue softly said.

"I love it if you love it," Kagome simply answered.

Her eyes strayed to the window and she frowned. No matter how much sunlight was out, it was a day of pain. The Goshinboku called out to her warning her of the danger and sadness. Her hakama changed to black and she left her vest white. She held her hand out to Kuronue and handed him the old scythe he used to carry. He took it from her and tested the weight and proportions. Kagome opened her bedroom door and found Souta in the hall already dressed.

"Why did you wake us that much energy?" Souta asked with a yawn.

"Someone evil is here," Kagome answered. Souta's eyes widened and he nodded in understanding.

"I'll get my weapon," Souta quickly said.

"No!" Kagome said. Souta stopped to glare at her with confusion.

"I'm not a kid," Souta simply said.

"No, you're the last of my bloodline, I won't let you get killed because of inexperience," Kagome firmly said.

"Kagome-"

"Do you sense that?" Kuwabara interrupted as he came out into the hall. His shirt was halfway tucked in and his hair was sticking up.

"What the hell is that?" Yusuke growled as he ran out the door and down the stairs.

Kagome sighed and chased after him. She reached the bottom of the stairs as Yusuke grasped the door handle. He threw open the door and grabbed the person by the collar of his their shirt.

"Yusuke, put him down," Kagome wearily said.

"Hello Kagome," the man unsurely greeted.

"Hello Houjou-Kun," Kagome greeted back.

Yusuke dropped the boy and walked to the couch. He sat down and glared at the boy. Kagome sighed and watched as Souta walked out of the room. He waved to Houjou and sat across from Yusuke. Kuwabara came out with Kuronue and Kurama close behind. Kagome notice Kuronue had his wings in plain sight.

"Holy shit!" Kagome shouted as she tackled him back into the hallway. Kurama raised and eyebrow and grinned.

"My wing," Kuronue groaned.

"I guess you should be running, there's a sexually frustrated Miko after you," Kurama joked.

"Kagome?" Houjou questioned.

"Stay there! My cat was attacking my guest!" Kagome called out.

"First a fruit bat and now I'm a cat," Kuronue scowled.

"Your wings!" Kagome whispered.

"What about them?" He asked.

'Maybe she's embarrassed of me?' Kuronue thought.

"You have to hide them from human sight," Kagome whispered.

"What? How?" Kuronue asked.

"Humans aren't used to Youkai features," Kurama explained.

Kagome bit her lower lip before she placed her hand on his wings. They vanished and Kuronue panicked.

"All you have to do is think and they'll reappear," Kagome assured as she helped him up.

"What about his ears?" Kurama questioned.

Kuronue growled at him and Kagome reached out and touched them. They shrunk to a normal human's ears and she grinned. She then grabbed his hand and pulled him into the front room where Houjou was waiting. Houjou frowned and raised an eyebrow. Kuronue was happy because she wasn't embarrassed just worried for him. Kurama was grinning because he could.

"I heard you were back in town and decided to stop by…is this a bad time." Houjou expressed.

"No, I just have some guests over," Kagome assured.

Houjou smiled at her and Kagome offered him a calm smile. She was about to speak when she tensed. Kuronue trailed his claw along her wrist and she cursed herself. Not everything was hidden.

"Are you alright?" Houjou asked.

"Fine, I just need to rest," Kagome answered.

"I suppose you're still mourning." Houjou softly stated.

"Yes, I am," Kagome coldly said.

"If you're not busy I'd like to take you to lunch," Houjou offered with a charming smile.

"She can't." Kuronue stated leaving no room for anything else.

"I can't go out with you anymore, I have a long term boyfriend," Kagome explained.

"We can still be friends," Houjou said with a smile. Kuronue was about to speak but Kagome elbowed him.

"I'd love to be friends," Kagome expressed.

She released Kuronue's hand and led Houjou out the door. Kuronue stared at her and she looked back to the door.

'How did he find out I was here?' Kagome questioned with a weird feeling.

A knock sounded on the door and she sighed. Before she could get it, Yusuke flung open the door again. He was about to yell but tensed. A clinking sound filled the air as Yusuke stared on.

"Keiko," he painfully whispered as he fell to the ground.

Author's Note:
I glad to see everyone's happy with Kuronuebeing back, I've finally added Keiko back into the story and I'll be adding more characters along the way.
Please leave a review

Translations

Akuma- this is like the embodiment of evil

Okinawa- fruit bat

Koumori- bat demon

Chigiriki- this is a two-foot staff with a chain attached to it. The chain is two feet and has a ball of spikes attached to it. It can be used like the Kusarikama or a mace